HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Disabled Access

Vincent Cable: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what assessments of the facilities and procedures in Parliament have been made in relation to the Disability Discrimination Act 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: Improvements in access to the Parliamentary Estate for people with disabilities have been ongoing for many years. A Disability Access Audit Report was produced in April 2004 which set out the then current situation and recommended a continuing programme of improvements. Notable recent projects have included installation of ramps, such as in Star Chamber Court; installation or modification of lifts and the installation of hearing loops in Committee Rooms. There is an ongoing programme of work to improve lifts in and around the Parliamentary Estate to aid access for people with disabilities and access audits have been commissioned for each building comprising the Parliamentary Estate.

Steel Barriers

Ken Purchase: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the total cost of the installation of the steel barriers on the roadside of the Palace of Westminster was; what estimate has been made of the annual costs of maintaining these barriers; and what the estimated cost of their removal is.

Nick Harvey: The cash cost incurred is estimated to be £980,000, to be shared with the House of Lords. Annual maintenance costs are expected to be minimal. Funds have been set aside for a removal contract but these details are yet to be finalised.

Steel Barriers

Ken Purchase: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what level of security risk was quantified in the advice that led to the replacement of the concrete blocks outside the Palace of Westminster by a steel barrier; and what the reason was for the extension of the new barrier beyond the perimeter marked out by the former concrete blocks.

Nick Harvey: This project was approved after full consideration by the Joint Committee on Security, but it is not the practice to provide details of security advice.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many vehicles for which his Office is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

Jim Murphy: For information on the use of retreaded or recycled tyres in vehicles provided to the Department by the Government Car and Despatch Agency I refer the hon. Member to the letter of 11 October 2005 which he received from the Chief Executive of the GCDA, reference UIN15087 and UIN15088. Copies of this letter are available in the Library.
	In addition the Department owns and operates two Toyota Prius's. These are not fitted with recycled or retreaded tyres.

Linux OpenSource Software

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those Government Departments and agencies which (a) use Linux OpenSource software and (b) have licensing and service agreements with Microsoft.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office and Office of Government Commerce do not hold this information centrally.
	It is for individual Departments and agencies to decide which software to purchase, in accordance with the Government's procurement policy of achieving best value for money.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Prime Minister how many vehicles for which his Office is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr.Hutton) today.

Volunteering

Nick Gibb: To ask the Prime Minister how many volunteering positions his Office has offered in each of the last five years.

Tony Blair: My Office encourages all staff to take part in voluntary and community activities, and offers one day's special leave a year to do so. In addition, staff have, over the last five years, organised specific volunteering activities, including mentoring children in London schools and working with local communities on other projects.

SCOTLAND

Correspondence

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his Department's policy is for dealing with correspondence received in (a) Welsh, (b) Scots Gaelic and (c) Irish Gaelic.

David Cairns: When someone writes to, or e-mails, the Scotland Office in Welsh, Scots Gaelic, or Irish Gaelic, we would make every reasonable effort to reply in the corresponding language, as we would with any other language in which the correspondence was written.

Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many vehicles for which the Department is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office is not responsible for any vehicles. For information on the use of retread tyres in vehicles provided to the Office by the Government car and despatch agency (GCDA), I refer the hon. Member to the letter of 11 October which he received from the chief executive of the GCDA, reference UIN15087 and UIN15088. Copies of this letter are available in the Library.

Self-invested Personal Pensions

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the impact on demand for second homes of allowing self-invested personal pensions to be invested in residential property.

David Cairns: My right hon. Friend has regular discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a range of issues affecting Scotland.

Statistics (Constituency Boundaries)

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his policy to provide statistics relating to Scottish constituencies in terms of (a) Westminster and (b) Scottish Parliament boundaries.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 313W.

Telephone Inquiries

Angus MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what facilities his Department has to deal with telephone inquiries in (a) Welsh, (b) Scots Gaelic and (c) Irish Gaelic.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office shares the telephone system with the Scottish Executive who maintain a list of translators. In the event of a call in Welsh, Scots Gaelic or Irish Gaelic, the operator would identify an official on the list who could speak the relevant language; that official would liaise with the appropriate colleagues to ensure an answer was given to the caller.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Recycling

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on levels of recycling in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: Provisional figures from the Municipal Waste Management Survey show that nearly 23 per cent. of household waste was recycled or composted in England in 2004–05, up from 18 per cent. in 2003–04.
	An Environment Agency survey shows that 42 per cent. of commercial and industrial waste was recycled or reused in 2002–03.
	A survey in 2001 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister estimated that about 50 per cent. of construction and demolition waste was recycled.

Recycling

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) targets and (b) incentives exist to encourage the recycling of trade waste by shops and commercial premises.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have set a target to reduce the amount of commercial and industrial waste going to landfill to 85 per cent. of the 1998 levels by 2005. Instruments designed to assist in meeting these targets include the Packaging Waste Regulations and the landfill tax escalator.

Avian Influenza

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on avian influenza.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have taken a number of steps and put in place new arrangements to detect avian influenza and to stop it spreading. We have a well developed contingency plan and controls in place to deal with any outbreak of avian influenza.
	We currently assess the risk of AI entering the UK as low. However it is a developing situation and we are monitoring it closely as well as stepping up our work on surveillance , biosecurity and emergency preparedness.

Avian Influenza

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish her contingency plans to be implemented in the event of an outbreak of H5NI virus; what research her Department is funding to assess the pathogenicity of avian influenza; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: DEFRA has recently reviewed and updated its contingency plans and, following a period of public consultation, the Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan, which includes a section dealing specifically with an outbreak of avian influenza, was laid before Parliament on 21 July 2005. It is also available on the DEFRA website. In the event of an outbreak in GB the plan would be invoked immediately.
	DEFRA supports a wide ranging programme of research on avian influenza (AI), costing approximately £460,000 per annum. The research is undertaken at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency which is the European Union reference laboratory for Al.
	The current programme of work includes studies to better understand pathogenesis and transmission of the virus. Some of the work is being taken forward to provide basic information about the virus and how it behaves in poultry; infectious dose, dynamics of transmission between birds and the influence of prior immunity are all being studied.
	More fundamental studies are also in place to examine the role of viral genetics, that is how changes in the genetic structure of the virus may allow it to adapt to a new species or cause it to become more pathogenic or virulent. Other areas of study include the development of improved diagnostic tests, and work on viral survival better to inform risk assessments for trade and disease control purposes.

Avian Influenza

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to prevent the spread of avian influenza to the United Kingdom.

Ben Bradshaw: We monitor the global situation in respect of outbreaks of notifiable diseases such as avian influenza. When a new outbreak is confirmed we carry out an assessment of the risk to the UK and liaise closely with the European Commission and other member states to decide what action is necessary to protect the UK. We act promptly in line with Community decisions to ban imports of animals and products from countries or parts of countries that represent a risk.

Climate Change

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research the Government have commissioned to ascertain whether recent severe weather conditions have been due to climate change as a result of carbon emissions.

Elliot Morley: An important part of DEFRA's Climate Prediction Programme at the Hadley Centre is specifically directed towards better understanding of how the frequency and intensity of severe weather events may be changing in response to changes in global climate, as a result of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Recent research by Hadley Centre has shown for example that the European hot summer of 2003 was up to four times more likely to have happened because of the increased levels of greenhouse gases. Studies also suggest that the frequency of droughts and extreme rainfall events may increase overall in response to global warming although there will may well be local and regional variations. The effect of global warming on storminess is less clear but the Hadley Centre has recently published work indicating a significant increase in the number of severe storms over the UK as a whole since the 1950s, which may be at least partly related to global warming.

Climate Change

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the Contraction and Convergence strategy for combating climate change.

Elliot Morley: Certain aspects of Contraction and Convergence are appealing, including the identification of a fixed level for stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations, and comprehensive global participation. However, one key element of any future regime must be its workability and one particular concern with contraction and convergence is the question of how globally acceptable, and in consequence how workable, it would prove to be.
	First, we do not yet see evidence that other key Annex I countries are likely to support this approach. The US has already indicated that it is opposed to a per-capita approach, and as the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, their inclusion will be vital if we are to solve the problem. Australia, Canada and New Zealand would also need to take on much more stringent targets under this regime. Many of the major developing countries, such as China, Mexico, South Africa, Brazil are approaching, or have passed the level that would be permissible for per-capita emissions, and would be forced to take reductions in the short-term if the scheme were implemented. They would be very unlikely to support the proposal as it would be seen as a curb on their development. Experts from these countries have shown some interest in alternative frameworks including an element of historical responsibility and capacity to act.
	Second, the approach requires upfront agreement to a global stabilisation target, but many countries outside the EU are reluctant to discuss this. Logically, it would make sense to agree a stabilisation level and then from this the respective responsibility of each country would flow. However, the complexity of the issues and political reality is such that a sequential approach is unlikely. The UK is therefore pursuing a two-pronged approach—pressing for agreement on a long-term stabilisation limit while simultaneously maintaining pressure on countries to take ambitious short-term action to mitigate emissions.

Community Programmes

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on how the Community Action 2020 programme will be implemented in Oxfordshire.

Elliot Morley: Community Action 2020 (CA2020) aims to build on the good work many communities and their local authorities have carried out under the Local Agenda 21 initiative. It is part of the Together we can" programme for communities launched by my right hon. Friend Hazel Blears MP on 28 June this year.
	CA2020 will enable and encourage wider community action by improving access to information, advice and assistance. This will enable local community groups to identify ways they can make a difference in delivering sustainable development.
	We are exploring the best ways in which the information, advice and assistance given to communities on sustainable development can be improved. We are working closely with experts in the sustainable development and community sectors to explore this. We hope to work jointly with national and local bodies to provide new tools and methods of support for community groups. These will be applied across England and their take up will very much depend on the interest among local organisations.
	We are working closely with voluntary and community sector bodies nationally to strengthen support for local communities on sustainable development.
	Our website offers helpful information and ideas which community organisations may like to use www.sustainable-development.gov.uk, and further details of the Community Action 2020 programme will be publicised here.

Departmental Expenditure

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total spending by her Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in the (i) Moray constituency and (ii) Highland Region was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The staff employed in the Highland region 1 , which includes the Moray constituency, are not based in a DEFRA building. The costs of these staff, estimated on a standard cost basis, are shown in the following table, together with an estimate of accommodation overheads are based on a regional specific percentage of the staff costs. It is not possible to isolate procurement costs by constituency.
	
		2004–05 -- £000
		
			  (i) Moray (ii) Highland region(1) 
		
		
			 (a) Staff 135 1,749 
			 (b) Accommodation 1 17 
			 (c) Procurement n/k n/k 
		
	
	(1)The Scotland parliamentary constituency map was divided into three regions"; Highlands and Islands, Central Scotland and Borders. The Highlands and Islands region" that was used for this answer covers the following parliamentary constituencies:
	Aberdeen North
	Aberdeen South
	Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine
	Angus
	Argyll and Bute
	Banff and Buchan
	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	Dundee East
	Dundee West
	Fife North East
	Gordon
	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
	Moray
	Na h-Eileannan an Iar
	Ochil and Perthshire South
	Orkney and Shetland
	Perth and Perthshire North
	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
	Stirling
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_ for_civil_service_statistics_2004_report/index.asp.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Departmental Expenditure

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total spending by her Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in (i) Banff and Buchan and (ii) the North East of Scotland was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The Department does not employ any staff in the Banff and Buchan constituency. The staff employed in North East Scotland are not based in a DEFRA building. The costs of these staff, estimated on a standard cost basis, are shown in the table, together with an estimate of accommodation overheads are based on a Regional specific percentage of the staff costs. It is not possible to isolate procurement costs by constituency.
	
		2004–05 -- £000
		
			  (i) Banff and Buchan (ii) NE Scotland(2) 
		
		
			 (a) Staff 135 1,749 
			 (b) Accommodation 1 17 
			 (c) Procurement n/k n/k 
		
	
	(2)The Scotland parliamentary constituency map was divided into three regions"; Highlands and Islands, Central Scotland and Borders. The nearest approximation to NE Scotland was the Highlands and Islands region". This was used for this answer and covers the following parliamentary constituencies.
	Aberdeen North
	Aberdeen South
	Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine
	Angus
	Argyll and Bute
	Banff and Buchan
	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
	Dundee East
	Dundee West
	Fife North East
	Gordon
	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
	Moray
	Na h-Eileannan an Iar
	Ochil and Perthshire South
	Orkney and Shetland
	Perth and Perthshire North
	Ross, Skye and Lochaber
	Stirling
	Information on regional distribution of staff at 1 April 2004 is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at, http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_ information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_ for_civil_service_statistics_2004_report/index.asp.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2005 will be published next year.

Nuclear Waste

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list all sites which have been considered by her Department as possible locations for the storage or disposal of nuclear waste.

Elliot Morley: The following is a list of sites, contained in the joint Defra/Nirex document, Radioactive Waste Inventory 2001, that currently store varying quantities of radioactive waste:
	Aldermaston
	Amersham
	Berkeley
	Bradwell
	Capenhurst
	Cardiff
	Chapelcross
	Clyde
	Culham
	Devonport
	Donnington
	Dounreay
	Drigg LLW Disposal Facility
	Dungeness
	Eskmeals
	Fort Halstead
	Heysham
	Hinkley Point
	Hartlepool
	Harwell
	Hunterston
	Oldbury
	Portsmouth
	Rosyth
	Sellafield/Calder Hall
	Sizewell
	Springfields
	Stafford
	Torness
	Trawsfynydd
	Vulcan
	Windscale
	Winfrith
	Wylfa
	On 10 June 2005, Nirex published details of a historic short-list of sites compiled in the 1980's as possible locations for a radioactive waste repository. This programme was abandoned in 1997.
	No further sites are currently under consideration.

Ruddy Ducks

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the evidence behind the decision to grant licences to cull ruddy ducks.

Jim Knight: The North American ruddy duck was introduced to wildfowl collections in the UK in the 1940s, from where a small number escaped from captivity and began to breed in the wild. As the UK population of wild ruddy ducks increased, so did the number of ruddy ducks on the European mainland. Hybridisation with the Spanish population of the globally threatened white-headed duck, now numbering some 2,600, is recognised as the most significant threat to that species' long-term survival.
	Initial research on control methods was carried out by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (Hughes, 1996) and the three year UK Ruddy Duck Control Trial, commissioned by my Department, sought to verify their findings. The report (published in July 2002, copies available in the Library of the House) indicated that eradication of ruddy ducks from the United Kingdom was feasible within 10 years, and that shooting on over wintering sites was the most effective means of control.
	In a written ministerial statement on 3 March 2003, my hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) announced that the Government agreed in principle to the eradication of the ruddy duck in United Kingdom. Since that time DEFRA has been funding additional research to refine the effectiveness of the control strategy, and to investigate the effectiveness of alternative control measures such as egg oiling and pricking. A report of the research undertaken to the end of September 2005 is due to be published imminently, and will be available in the Library of the House in due course.
	A bid for funding under the LIFE Nature programme was recently approved by the European Commission, which supports eradication as part of efforts to protect the globally endangered white-headed duck. DEFRA's decision to co-fund the eradication programme was informed by the report of the control trial and by the additional research findings, and a licence has now been issued to the Central Science Laboratory to allow them to commence work. Detailed information about the LIFE project can be found on the Commission's website.
	The Government have also issued, in England, a general licence to remove the protection afforded to ruddy ducks by domestic legislation. The licence has been kept under review since it was first issued in July 2003, and has been revised to ensure the licence conditions are appropriate. The current licence was issued in December 2004, and is available on the DEFRA website.

Timber

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of illegally logged timber entering the UK from China, with particular reference to wood products.

Elliot Morley: We are unable to estimate how much illegally logged timber is coming into the UK from China as timber is not identified as legal or illegal at ports of entry. There is currently no legislation in the UK, or the EU, to prevent the import of such timber, but we are seeking such powers through the EU FLEGT process.
	Government are working to raise the issue of illegal logging with the Chinese Government. For example, the Eighth EU-China Summit, held in Beijing on 5 September 2004 agreed that the EU and China would work together to tackle the problem of illegal logging in the Asian region.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Beacon Council Status

Greg Hands: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list local authorities which have been awarded Beacon Council status for improving urban green spaces.

Phil Woolas: The seven authorities who received Beacon status for Improving Urban Green Spaces in April 2002 are as listed:
	Halton Borough council
	London Borough of Barnet
	London Borough of Bexley
	London Borough of Brent
	London Borough of Enfield
	London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
	Northamptonshire county council.

Casinos

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many appeals (a) the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) the Planning Inspectorate have considered on casino developments in the last three years; and what the verdict was in each case.

Yvette Cooper: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the First Secretary of State has decided two called-in planning applications for mixed use developments that have included a casino element in the last three years, with one being granted planning permission and one refused planning permission. Over the same period the Planning Inspectorate have decided seven appeals for developments with a casino element of which four have been allowed and three dismissed.

Correspondence

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the Minister for Housing will reply to sections 1 and 3 of the letter from the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central sent in August on Housing Act 2004 issues.

Yvette Cooper: I replied to my hon. Friend on 13 October.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Terry Rooney: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been allocated in each year since 1996–97 to (a) Bradford Metropolitan council, (b) Wakefield Metropolitan council and (c) local authorities in England for disabled facilities grants.

Yvette Cooper: Government funding in support of Bradford Metropolitan council and Wakefield Metropolitan council for Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) since 1996 has been as follows:
	
		£000
		
			  Bradford Wakefield 
		
		
			 2005–06 1,135 908 
			 2004–05 1,200 960 
			 2003–04 1,196 885 
			 2002–03 1,196 531 
			 2001–02 947 518 
			 2000–01 884 453 
			 1999–2000 692 321 
			 1998–99 720 312 
			 1997–98 670 346 
		
	
	Government funding in support of local authorities in England for Disabled Facilities Grant since 1996 has been as follows:
	
		£000
		
			  National total 
		
		
			 2005–06 103,300 
			 2004–05 101,500 
			 2003–04 99,000 
			 2002–03 88,000 
			 2001–02 84,800 
			 2000–01 71,800 
			 1999–2000 64,849 
			 1998–99 59,000 
			 1997–98 56,000 
		
	
	National totals for DFG before 1997 are not available.

Environmental Impact Assessments

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what requirements exist on local authorities to carry out environmental impact assessments on sites being considered for development;
	(2)  what requirements exist to ensure that adequate (a) surveys are conducted and (b) scientific data are collected during environmental impact assessments;
	(3)  what (a) guidelines and (b) regulations exist concerning how long before consideration of a planning permission application an environmental impact assessment should be carried out;
	(4)  what obligations exist for consideration of ecological surveys in consideration of planning applications; and what requirements there are on the (a) age and (b) accuracy of these surveys.

Yvette Cooper: The requirements relating to environmental impact assessment of development falling within the planning system are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/293).
	For some types of development environmental impact assessment (EIA) is mandatory. For others it is required if the local planning authority considers that the particular development would be likely to have significant effects on the environment. Where EIA is required, the developer must provide environmental information (called an Environmental Statement) which includes: a description of the development comprising information on the site, design and size of the development; a description of the aspects of the environment likely to be significantly affected including, in particular, population, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, including the architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the inter-relationship between all these aspects; a description of the measures envisaged to mitigate any significant adverse effects; an outline of any alternatives considered; and a non-technical summary of the above information. The Environmental Statement is circulated to statutory consultation bodies, and made available to the public, for comment.
	The Regulations do not specify when the EIA has to be carried out. However, a planning authority is prohibited from granting planning permission unless an Environmental Statement has been provided. If the authority considers there are deficiencies in the Environmental Statement it can require an applicant to provide further information or produce evidence needed to verify any information in the Statement. In determining an application the planning authority must take account of the Environmental Statement, any further information provided, and any comments or representations made by statutory consultees and the public.

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) what estimate has been made of the revenue from VAT likely to be raised from home information packs;
	(2)  whether value added tax will be levied on home information packs.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The VAT treatment of home information packs will depend on a number of factors. The exact nature of the packs, and how they will be provided, is still under consideration, and draft regulations are expected to be published shortly. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are discussing the possible VAT treatment of these packs, and suppliers of home information packs, or parts thereof, will be able to contact HMRC for advice as required and separate guidance will be issued if appropriate.
	No estimate has been made of the revenue yield from home information packs.

Homelessness

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) priority homeless and (b) homeless households were in temporary accommodation in England in each quarter since Q1 1993.

Yvette Cooper: The number of households accepted by local authorities in England as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need during each quarter since January—March 1993, and the number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by authorities under homelessness legislation as at the end of each quarter, is tabled.
	The duty owed to a person accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available. As an alternative to the provision of temporary accommodation some authorities arrange for households to remain in their current accommodation (homeless at home), until a settled solution becomes available.
	
		Local authority activity on homelessness: England
		
			   Total priority acceptances during the quarter(3) Total in temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter(4) 
		
		
			 1993   
			 Quarter 1 34,680 61,380 
			 Quarter 2 32,520 57,920 
			 Quarter 3 32,160 56,500 
			 Quarter 4 28,270 53,580 
			
			 1994   
			 Quarter 1 32,410 52,340 
			 Quarter 2 28,760 48,660 
			 Quarter 3 30,410 48,110 
			 Quarter 4 26,910 45,630 
			
			 1995   
			 Quarter 1 30,770 46,350 
			 Quarter 2 29,220 45,940 
			 Quarter 3 30,910 46,690 
			 Quarter 4 26,590 44,140 
			
			 1996   
			 Quarter 1 29,830 43,240 
			 Quarter 2 28,350 43,300 
			 Quarter 3 28,810 43,830 
			 Quarter 4 26,600 42,190 
			
			 1997   
			 Quarter 1 26,850 41,250 
			 Quarter 2 24,260 43,720 
			 Quarter 3 26,260 45,290 
			 Quarter 4 24,630 44,870 
			
			 1998   
			 Quarter 1 27,280 47,520 
			 Quarter 2 25,590 49,390 
			 Quarter 3 26,870 52,510 
			 Quarter 4 24,890 53,790 
			
			 1999   
			 Quarter 1 26,910 56,580 
			 Quarter 2 25,970 58,430 
			 Quarter 3 28,020 61,450 
			 Quarter 4 24,470 62,180 
			
			 2000   
			 Quarter 1 27,120 65,170 
			 Quarter 2 27,590 67,520 
			 Quarter 3 29,210 71,860 
			 Quarter 4 27,420 73,080 
			
			 2001   
			 Quarter 1 30,450 75,200 
			 Quarter 2 28,950 75,920 
			 Quarter 3 30,590 77,800 
			 Quarter 4 27,840 77,510 
			
			 2002   
			 Quarter 1 29,280 80,200 
			 Quarter 2 30,460 81,660 
			 Quarter 3 33,310 85,010 
			 Quarter 4 30,790 85,140 
			
			 2003   
			 Quarter 1 33,980 89,040 
			 Quarter 2 34,090 91,870 
			 Quarter 3 35,770 94,440 
			 Quarter 4 31,750 94,610 
			
			 2004   
			 Quarter 1 33,820 97,680 
			 Quarter 2(5) 32,900 99,530 
			 Quarters 3(5) 32,150 101,300 
			 Quarter 4(5) 28,890 101,030 
			
			 2005   
			 Quarter 1(5) 26,920 101,070 
			 Quarter 2(5) 27,310 100,970 
		
	
	(3)All households eligible under homelessness legislation, found to be unintentionally homeless and in a priority need category and consequently owed a main homelessness duty.
	(4)Households in accommodation arranged by local authorities either pending a decision on their homelessness application or awaiting allocation of a settled home following acceptance.
	(5)Provisional data.
	Source:
	ODPM: Homelessness returns (quarterly)

Homes for Life Standard

Andrew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on progress in the adoption of the homes for life standard in new build.

Yvette Cooper: The Government expects shortly to provide a response to the Report of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee on Ageing Populations, Recommendation 9.19 which covers the Lifetime Home Standards.

Housing

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which 25 local authorities in England have (a) the largest number of people on the housing register and (b) the largest waiting lists for processing homeless applications; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Table A presents the 25 local authorities in England reporting the highest number of households on their housing register as at 1 April this year, and Table B presents the 25 local authorities with the largest number of households accepted as owed a main homelessness duty, and in temporary accommodation (with their households) arranged by the authority awaiting a settled home as at 30 June.
	Local authorities do not hold a waiting list for homeless applications; as soon as they have reason to believe that a person is homeless or threatened with homelessness they must make inquiries to determine whether any duty is owed under the homelessness legislation. Information about the length of time taken by local authorities to process applications is not collected centrally, but The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Homelessness Code of Guidance recommends that wherever possible inquiries should be completed, and the applicant notified, within 33 working days.
	The duty owed to an applicant, on behalf of the household, accepted as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need is to secure suitable accommodation for the applicant and his or her household. In many cases, a settled home is not immediately available, and the local housing authority will secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available. In such cases, the applicant household will usually join the housing register for an allocation of housing under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 (although other housing options such as a qualifying offer of an assured shorthold tenancy can also bring the homelessness duty to an end).
	The Government's homelessness strategy Sustainable Communities: settled homes; changing lives sets out the challenging aim to halve the number of households in insecure temporary accommodation by 2010.
	
		Table A: Local authorities with the 25 highest figures for numbers of households on their housing register(6)as at 1 April 2005
		
			 Local authority Region Number of households 
		
		
			 1. Sheffield Yorkshire and the Humber 72,604 
			 2. Bradford Yorkshire and the Humber 32,046 
			 3. Leeds Yorkshire and the Humber 30,699 
			 4. Newham London 25,317 
			 5. Tower Hamlets London 21,183 
			 6. Haringey London 19,930 
			 7. Sandwell West Midlands 19,655 
			 8. Lewisham London 18,279 
			 9. Manchester North West 17,772 
			 10. Birmingham West Midlands 17,493 
			 11. Brent London 17,351 
			 12. Camden London 16,532 
			 13. Sunderland North East 16,222 
			 14. Bolton North West 16,096 
			 15. Wirral North West 15,524 
			 16. Ealing London 14,324 
			 17. Rotherham Yorkshire and the Humber 13,903 
			 18. Barnet London 13,627 
			 19. Newcastle upon  Tyne North East 13,099 
			 20. East Riding of  Yorkshire Yorkshire and the Humber 12,163 
			 21. Walsall West Midlands 12,024 
			 22. Doncaster Yorkshire and the Humber 11,937 
			 23. Bristol South West 11,809 
			 24. Sefton North West 11,637 
			 25. Leicester East Midlands 11,482 
		
	
	(6)Excludes existing tenants awaiting a transfer. Local authorities may maintain a common waiting list with housing associations in their district, but information is not held centrally where a housing association maintains a separate waiting list.
	Source:
	ODPM Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) (annual)
	
		Table B: Local authorities with the 25 highest figures for numbers of households in temporary accommodation (7), as at 30 June 2005
		
			 Local authority Region Number of households 
		
		
			 Newham London 6,117 E 
			 Haringey London 4,897 
			 Brent London 4,027 
			 Westminster London 3,075 
			 Croydon London 2,877 
			 Enfield London 2,739 
			 Tower Hamlets London 2,654 
			 Ealing London 2,210 
			 Barnet London 2,175 
			 Camden London 1,997 
			 Lambeth London 1,963 
			 Redbridge London (8)1,891 
			 Hackney London (8)1,865 
			 Lewisham London 1,858 
			 Hillingdon London 1,776 
			 Waltham Forest London 1,692 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham London 1,579 
			 Wandsworth London 1,394 
			 Islington London 1,215 
			 Hounslow London 1,205 
			 Harrow London 1,180 
			 Kensington and Chelsea London 1,053 
			 Luton East of England 945 
			 Southwark London 832 
			 Swindon South West 810 
		
	
	(7)Households in accommodation arranged by local authorities awaiting allocation of a settled home following acceptance of a main homelessness duty.
	(8)An estimated figure, based on reported totals (which included but did not distinguish, those in TA pending a decision on their homelessness application), or on other available information.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E Homelessness returns (quarterly)

Housing Task Force

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his housing task force is required to ensure tenant involvement after housing transfer.

Yvette Cooper: The Community Housing Task Force is not required to provide support for local authorities or tenants after the transfer.

Planning Committees

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities in relation to ward councillors sitting on planning committees considering planning applications from their own ward; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister has issued no guidance specifically in respect of actions by councillors sitting on planning committees. However, in 2001 the Government issued the statutory Model Code of Conduct for local government members, which sets out standards of conduct expected of all members. Guidance on the operation of the code has been issued by the Standards Board for England.
	In addition, The Local Government Association issued guidance in January this year Probity in Planning: The Role of Councillors and Officers" and this makes clear that members who take an active stand in supporting or assisting a planning application should not take part in discussions on that application and should withdraw from the planning committee.

Planning Permission

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  on what basis the consultation period for planning permission applications is decided;
	(2)  under what conditions the consultation period for planning permission applications may be extended;
	(3)  how many complaints regarding the consultation process for planning permission have been received by his Department in each year since 1997;
	(4)  what obligations there are on local authorities to inform local residents of planning permission applications in their vicinity;
	(5)  whether there are regulations relating to the amount of time local authorities must allow for notifying the public before a planning permission application is considered.

Yvette Cooper: Article 8 of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 says that no application may be determined until 21 days have elapsed since notice of the application was displayed or served. This period is to allow people time to comment. Most householder and other minor development must be publicised by notice near the application site, or by letter to those with land adjoining it. Larger schemes should also be publicised by advertisement in local newspapers and on the authority's website. In DoE Circular 15/92, Publicity for Planning Applications", authorities are urged to do more than comply with the legal requirement. Moreover, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires each authority to prepare Statements of Community Involvement, which should include the authority's policy for community involvement on planning applications.
	No statistics are kept on the numbers of complaints about the consultation process for planning permissions. If a planning decision ignores some crucial, relevant consideration, it might be open to challenge through the courts.
	An authority sets its own closing date for representations about a proposal. There is nothing in law to prevent it accepting a late comment if appropriate. However, if the matter is to go to committee, the authority will need to make sure it complies with the Local Government Act 1972 as amended, which requires relevant committee papers to be made public at least five days before the committee discusses the case.

Regional Chambers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister who is responsible for the liabilities of England's Regional Chambers.

Yvette Cooper: The English Regional Assemblies are organisations in their own right and are responsible for their own liabilities.

Social Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has asked the Housing Corporation to take to improve tenant involvement in running housing associations.

Yvette Cooper: The Housing Corporation has a range of policies in place to encourage tenant involvement. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Housing Corporation are looking at ways to strengthen tenant involvement in the future.

Social Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the total number of council houses transferred to (a) housing associations and (b) arm's length management organisations (i)before May 1997 and (ii) since May 1997.

Yvette Cooper: Prior to May 1997, 245,705 council houses were transferred to registered social landlords (RSLs). Since May 1997, a further 683,578 council homes have been transferred to RSLs.
	The first Arm's Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) were set up in 2002. They manage local authorities' housing stock but ownership of that stock is not transferred to them. Currently about 682,000 homes owned by local authorities are managed by ALMOs.

Social Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will revise his calculations of the amount of social housing necessary over the period to 2010 to take account of the proportion of young people unable to raise the deposit to become first-time buyers.

Yvette Cooper: Provision of social rented housing to 2010 will be subject to the outcome of the 2007 Spending Review and a variety of policy decisions including our response to the Barker Review. The Government recently announced a number of measures to help households into low cost home ownership.

Social Housing

Simon Hughes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards the Government's target of making all social housing decent by 2010.

Yvette Cooper: The Government have reduced the number of non-decent social homes by more than one million. Work completed and plans in place take us 90 per cent. of the way to meeting the target. We are now focusing our efforts on dealing with the remaining 10 per cent.

HOME DEPARTMENT

European Contractors

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list contractors based in other EU member states that are providing services to his Department.

Paul Goggins: The Department awards all contracts in line with the UK's objective of achieving value for money, and in line with EU treaty obligations on transparency and free movement of goods and services.
	The list of contractors based in other EU member states that are currently providing services to the Department comprises:
	Seratec GmbH Germany
	IBA GmbH Germany
	Forensic Tech Ireland
	U Cables SpainMegazyne International Ireland
	Manthei Mess Systeme Germany
	Victoria Scandinavian Sweden
	Verlag Information Ambs GmbH
	GermanySteintor Verlag GmbH
	GermanyChromSword Baltic SIA LatviaEricsson
	SwedenGWV Fachverlage Germany
	Mehler Vario System GmbH Sweden.

Football Hooliganism

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many football supporters in (a) England and (b) Wales are subject to football banning orders preventing travel to football matches outside the UK.

Paul Goggins: As of 17 October, the courts have imposed 3,157 football banning orders preventing the subjects from travelling to matches overseas.
	There are 2,927 England supporters and 230 Wales supporters subject to football banning orders.

Football Hooliganism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests relating to football hooliganism there have been since 2001.

Paul Goggins: Details of football-related arrests and football attendances for the seasons 2001–02 to 2003–04 is provided in the table.
	
		
			  Season Football-related arrests  Attendance 
		
		
			 2001–02 3,702 33,278,196 
			 2002–03 4,413 34,041,632 
			 2003–04 4,067 36,180,716 
		
	
	A detailed report on the impact of existing football legislation, with supporting statistical information, and details of last season's arrests will be published later this month.

Magic Mushrooms

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many submissions were received (a) in favour and (b) against the reclassification of magic mushrooms prior to the Drugs Act 2005 being passed.

Paul Goggins: The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, which is a recognised expert body on drug misuse matters, made clear its support for the measure. The Home Office received no submissions in favour of the clarification of the law in respect of magic mushrooms prior to the Drugs Act 2005 being granted Royal Assent on seven April and four submissions against.

National Offender Management Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received for the post of the head of the National Offender Management Service; and when he expects to make an appointment.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 18 October 2005
	There were 10 applications for the post of Chief Executive of the National Offender Management Service. Interviews have been held, and an announcement will be made shortly.

People Trafficking

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to combat the trafficking of women into the UK to work as prostitutes.

Paul Goggins: The Government are committed to tackling human trafficking. It has a comprehensive strategy encompassing legislation, law enforcement, prevention, international cooperation and support for victims. The Government provides £20 million of funding annually to Reflex, the multi-agency task force which coordinates the law enforcement response to organised immigration crime, including people trafficking.
	In the year to March 2005 Reflex carried out 343 operations which led to 149 disruptions, 1,456 arrests and the seizure of over £5.5 million in criminal assets. The UK has made people trafficking a priority during its EU presidency. It is working closely with the Commission in developing an EU plan on preventing and combating trafficking in persons. In March 2003 a small scale Home Office-funded pilot scheme was launched in partnership with Eaves Housing for Women to provide safe accommodation and one-to-one support for adult women who have been trafficked into the UK to work as prostitutes. The Scheme has recently been formally evaluated and overall findings were positive on the model and quality of support provided. A copy of the summary findings from the evaluation can be obtained from:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/whatsnew1.html.
	The full evaluation report is currently being considered and decisions about the future scope and nature of support will be made in light of its findings.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of Prison Service staff have been (a) reinstated to posts within the service and (b) compensated but not reinstated following successful industrial tribunal appeals where the appellant has been proved to have been dismissed unfairly since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of drugs have been seized in each London prison from (a) prisoners, (b) visitors, (c) prison governors, (d) officers and (e) other staff in each month of 2005; what quantity of drugs has been found in each London prison thrown over the wall in each month; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is contained in the following table. The information on quantity is not collected routinely and the figures in the table indicate the number of occasions on which drugs were found. In addition, at Holloway prison drugs have been intercepted in mail being sent in to prisoners on six occasions in 2005. In Belmarsh there were six unattributable finds in the prison, once in incoming mail and on five occasions at various locations within the prison.
	
		Drugs finds from January 2005 to September 2005
		
			 Subject January February March April May June July August September 
		
		
			 HMP Belmarsh 
			 Prisoners 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 
			 Visitors 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over the wall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			   
			 HMP and YOI Feltham 
			 Prisoners 4 2 11 6 5 5 2 4 10 
			 Visitors 1 3 4 1 1 2 0 0 0 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over wall 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			   
			 HMP and YOI Holloway 
			 Prisoners 3 1 1 3 1 0 1 3 0 
			 Visitors 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over wall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			   
			 HMP Pentonville 
			 Prisoners 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 
			 Visitors 1 6 5 8 2 6 0 4 4 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over wall 3 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 3 
			   
			 HMP Wandsworth 
			 Prisoners 14 4 7 2 7 7 9 8 5 
			 Visitors 4 5 3 6 3 4 5 3 5 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over wall 4 3 2 3 2 7 2 2 3 
			   
			 HMP Wormwood Scrubs 
			 Prisoners 9 10 1 12 9 3 4 3 5 
			 Visitors 2 3 0 3 0 2 3 3 4 
			 Prison Governors 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Prison Officers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Drugs thrown over the wall 9 11 15 14 10 24 17 13 17

Prisons

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison cells in England and Wales have capacity for (a) one inmate, (b) two inmates and (c) three or more inmates.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
	All prisoner accommodation is certified by Prison Service area managers (as required by s.14 of the Prison Act 1952). Cell capacity may only be increased (for example, when single cells are used to house two prisoners), when the area manager has assessed them to be of adequate size and condition for doing so.

Prisons

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners have been in overcrowded cells in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: The following table shows the percentage of prisoners held in crowded accommodation for the last five full financial years. The data for 2005–06 are the average for this financial year to 30 September 2005.
	
		
			  Percentage of prisoners held in crowded conditions 
		
		
			 2000–01 17.5 
			 2001–02 18.6 
			 2002–03 23.4 
			 2003–04 24.0 
			 2004–05 24.1 
			 2005–06 23.6

School of Economic Science

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to legislate against the activity of religious cults, with particular reference to the School of Economic Science.

Paul Goggins: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has no plans to legislate against the activity of religious cults.

Secure Training Centres

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the full report on the investigation into Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre.

Fiona Mactaggart: There is no plan to publish the Serious Incident Review report on the death of Gareth Myatt at Rainsbrook while a criminal investigation is in progress. When that investigation has concluded, it will be for the coroner to decide whether the report can be published in advance of the inquest.

Secure Training Centres

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) full-time and (b) part-time staff are employed in each of the four secure training centres.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is given in the following table.
	
		Staff employed in secure training centres
		
			 STC Full-time Part-time 
		
		
			 Medway 239 17 
			 Rainsbrook 253 15 
			 Hassockfield 137 11 
			 Oakhill 270 21

South London and Maudsley Trust

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were transferred to the care of the South London and Maudsley Trust for drug rehabilitation and mental health care in the last year for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: 32 prisoners were transferred from prison to the South London and Maudsley Hospital between 30 September 2004 and 1 October 2005.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Auditor Liability

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with (a) officials and (b) auditing firms about reform of auditor liability.

Alun Michael: Ministers and officials have had numerous discussions with auditing firms about auditor liability, particularly since the publication of the consultative document Director and auditor liability" in December 2003. We also continue to have discussions on the subject with companies and investors who have an interest as customers of auditors, and with bodies representing companies, investors and accountants.

Football Broadcasting

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to meet (a) the FA Premier League, (b) the European Commissioner for Competition, (c) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (d) Ofcom and (e) the Office of Fair Trading to discuss the structure of Premier League television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have no such plans to meet to discuss this case.

Football Broadcasting

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role (a) Ofcom and (b) the Office of Fair Trading are playing in implementing European competition law regarding the structure of premier league television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: These are matters for Ofcom and OFT, as independent regulators. Accordingly, officials have asked the chief executive of both organisations to respond directly the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executives' letters will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Football Broadcasting

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had since May with the European Commission on the structure of premier league television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Ministers and officials from this Department are in contact with the European Commission and will continue to remain so in order to facilitate an agreement which is good for football and good for the fans.

Football Broadcasting

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions his Department has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport since May 2005 on the roles of (a) Ofcom and (b) the Office of Fair Trading in the matter of deciding the structure of FA Premier League television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Ministers and officials in this Department and from DCMS have stayed in close contact throughout, both through briefing meetings and telephone calls, with Ofcom and OFT and will continue to do so in order to facilitate an agreement which is good for football and good for the fans.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many air miles were accrued through departmental ministerial travel in 2004–05, broken down by Minister; how many were (a) foregone and (b) donated to charity, broken down by charity; and whether air miles accrued by officials were required to be (i) foregone and (ii) given to charity.

Alan Johnson: No air miles were accrued through departmental ministerial travel in 2004–05.
	Ministerial travel is conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers. Guidance for Ministers on the use of air miles is set out in the Ministerial Code. The guidance makes clear that air miles should be used only for official purposes or else foregone. However, if it is impracticable to use the benefits for Government travel, there is no objection to Ministers donating them to charity if this is permissible under the terms of the airline's scheme and the charity is one chosen by the airline.
	Similar rules are in place for officials.

Motorsport Unit

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how much the Government have allocated to the motorsport unit since its inception.
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the Government motorsport unit;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the suitability of the projects supported to date by the Government motorsport unit; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what projects have been funded by the Government motorsport unit; and how much each received;
	(5)  what procedure his Department has in place to assess those projects which have received funding to date from the Government motorsport unit;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the propriety of Government motorsport unit's (a) formula women and (b) cruisesport projects;
	(7)  how much the (a) formula women and (b) cruisesport projects have received in funding from the Government motorsport unit since its creation;
	(8)  if he will make a statement on the future of the Government motorsport unit.

Alun Michael: On 11 July 2003 the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, announced a Government commitment of £16 million over five years to fund the recommendations of the motorsport competitiveness panel, whose report was published on the same date. The panel was made up of leading figures from the motorsport industry, sport and academia together with officials from relevant departments. Its role was to recommend ways to strengthen the industry and sport from technicians at a grass roots level right up to the Formula 1 drivers and engineers at the top level of motorsport.
	The report recommended that a motorsport development board be created to lead, coordinate and prioritise development activities and an RDA-led Government motorsport unit should be formed to coordinate available Government resources towards the motorsport cluster. The board and the RDA-led unit are collectively known as motorsport development UK (MDUK).
	The projects now being taken forward by motorsports development UK are based upon the panel's priorities. These have not been revisited and it would be for the organisation itself to recommend any changes, either to the projects or the way in which they are being implemented. Assessment of the propriety and value for money of each project is carried out in line with the established procedures of the funding body concerned and action is taken where necessary to safeguard public funds.
	There has been some encouraging progress particularly in the use of bio-fuels in motorsport and also engaging young people to take part in engineering activities with a motorsport theme—the Learning Grid'.
	Spending to date on the five projects now being pursued is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Project theme Spend to date (£) 
		
		
			 Motorsport Academy 364,898 
			 The Learning Grid 442,230 
			 Business Development 213,545 
			 Energy Efficient Motorsport 463,726 
			 Widening Participation 265,574 
			 Total project spend 1,749,973 
		
	
	Note:
	Formula Woman" is a commercial enterprise owned and organised by Formula Woman International Ltd. No MDUK funding has been granted to this venture.
	CruiseSport" is one of the areas of activity within MDUK's project to widen participation and promote social inclusion in motorsport. Spend to date is £120,000. This figure is included within the total for widening participation is in the table.

Paternity Leave

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of those entitled to paid paternity leave took advantage of their right during (a) 2005 and (b) 2004.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Equal Opportunities Commission's survey Dads and Their Babies: Leave Arrangements and the First Year", published earlier this year and part-funded by DTI, found that nine out of 10 fathers take time off work to spend with a new child and that over two-thirds of fathers currently take up the paternity entitlements available to them. The survey also found that a large percentage of employers are providing support for fathers which goes beyond the statutory provision and that almost three-quarters (72 per cent.) of the surveyed fathers who took paternity leave took at least some of this at full pay. We estimate that around 415,000 working fathers are eligible for statutory paid paternity leave.

Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK's compliance with the waste electronic and electrical equipment directive is compatible with other environmental priorities.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government aims to introduce its legislation for the UK implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive to the House shortly; and to publish its accompanying non-statutory guidance at the same time. It intends that the implementation of the WEEE Directive should complement other environmental policy objectives in relation to waste collection, treatment and disposal; that it should discourage fly-tipping; and that it should minimise other potential adverse environmental impacts such as traffic emissions and congestion.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Anniversary Commemoration

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will commemorate the 450th anniversary of (a) the death of Mary Tudor, (b) the accession of Elizabeth I and (c) the Elizabethan parliamentary settlement of the Church of England.

David Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans at present to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the death of Mary Tudor, the accession of Elizabeth I and the Elizabethan parliamentary settlement of the Church of England, but it is possible that some of DCMS's sponsored bodies may choose to do so and will announce their plans closer to the time.

Broadband

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase the public take-up of broadband internet access in (i)East Sussex and (ii) the UK as a whole.

Alun Michael: holding answer 17 October 2005
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Government published on 1 April 2005 Connecting the UK: the Digital Strategy". The strategy outlines the policy focus towards stimulating effective take-up and use of ICT. The strategy aims to address the digital divide that currently sees some groups excluded from the benefits to be gained from the internet.
	Plans also exist regionally to increase take-up of broadband. Organisations such as Broadband East Sussex Partnership" which includes Access East Sussex, BT, The Education Authority, The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Sussex Enterprise, East Sussex Economic Partnership and the Learning and Skills Council are working with the Sussex Enterprise, local libraries and councils to promote broadband to individuals and businesses. The take-up of broadband in the UK is increasing at 70,000 subscribers a week.

Departmental IT Projects

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list for each IT project her Department has undertaken since May 1997 which has incurred a total expenditure of £5 million or more (a) the name of the project, (b) its intended purpose, (c) the principal contractors involved and the payments made to each, (d) the original estimate of the cost of the project, (e) the actual outturn of expenditure on the project, (f) the intended date on which the project was to be fully implemented, (g) the actual date on which it was fully implemented or cancelled, (h) modifications which have been made to the project since it was first commissioned, (i) contractors on the project whose contracts have been cancelled, (j) replacement or additional contractors on the project, (k) the most reliable estimate of public expenditure saved as a result of implementing the project and (l) the most reliable estimates of improved performance of departmental functions as a result of implementing the project.

David Lammy: My Department has not undertaken any IT projects of that value since 1997.

Olympic Lottery Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she has made representations to the Treasury about the tax revenue from the new Olympic lottery games.

Richard Caborn: The taxation of Olympic themed lottery games is a matter for the Chancellor. The Government have made clear that it will apply the same principles that apply to the national lottery to any Olympic themed lottery games. The Secretary of State has not made representations on the taxation of the Olympic themed lottery games.

Premier League Football (TV Rights)

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  pursuant to the written answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 265–66W, on premier league football (TV rights), if she will list the dates of the meetings between (a) the Office of Fair Trading and (b) Ofcom with (i) the European Commissioner for competition and (ii) other persons working at the European Commission which have taken place since 1 June 2004;
	(2)  pursuant to the written answer of 6 June 2005, Official Report, columns 265–66W, on premier league football (TV rights), if she will list the dates of the meetings between (a) Ofcom and (b) the Office of Fair Trading and the FA premier league which have taken place since 1 June 2004;
	(3)  what discussions (a) Ofcom and (b) the Office of Fair Trading have had with the FA premier league since 1 June 2004 on the matter of deciding the structure of FA premier league television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards;
	(4)  what discussions (a) Ofcom and (b) the Office of Fair Trading have had since 1 June 2004 with (i) the European Commission and (ii) the European Commissioner for Competition on the matter of deciding the structure of FA premier league television broadcasting rights from season 2007–08 onwards.

Richard Caborn: The matters raised are the responsibility of Ofcom and OFT, as independent regulators. Accordingly, officials have asked the Chief Executives of both organisations to respond directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executives' letters will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

School Sport

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the £750 million pledged to school sport by the Prime Minister at the 2000 Labour party conference has been (a) committed, (b) spent and (c) spent via the Football Foundation.

Richard Caborn: £670.7 million of the new opportunities for PE and sport (NOPES) funding has been committed to date, with £194.2 million drawn down by local education authorities.
	The Football Foundation has committed all of its £30 million NOPES allocation and has spent £11.2 million of that amount. These figures are included in the amounts given above.
	Almost 90 per cent. of NOPES funding has now been committed. We anticipate that most of the remaining funding will be committed by December 2005 with the great majority of new facilities in use by spring 2006, in line with the original timetable.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will list the adult education allocations for each Learning and Skills Council for (a) 2005–06, (b) 2004–05 and (c) 2003–04;
	(2)  what the level of participation was in adult education in each Learning and Skills Council area in (a) 2004–05 and (b) 2003–04;
	(3)  what estimate her Department has made of participation in adult education in each Learning and Skills Council area for 2005–06.

Phil Hope: The exact makeup and distribution of learning provision at local level are matters for local Learning and Skills Councils and their partners in colleges and other providers, according to their assessment of local needs and priorities. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive, to write to my hon. Friend with more detailed information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Mr Gordon Marsden dated 28 July 2005
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills regarding participation in, and funding allocations for, adult education.
	As you will know, adult participation in education and skills development can take many forms. The main LSC-funded programmes are Work Based Learning (WBL), general Further Education (FE) and Adult & Community Learning (ACL). Annex 1 attached shows how much funding has been allocated to each of our local Learning and Skills Councils for these programmes, in total, for the 2003/04 and 2004/05 years. For 2005/06, you will see that in some regions (where monetary amounts appear against the Regional Office) the details are not yet finalised. We aim to publish final information on our web site as soon as we can.
	We also allocate funding for other types of adult provision:
	employer-based provision through the Employer Training Pilots (ETP), soon to be rolled-out across the country as a National Employer Training Programme and the Workforce Development programme. Taken together, approximate funding levels for these programmes over the 3 years are 2003–04 £84 million, 2004–05 £140 million, 2005–06 £196 million;
	learning specifically aimed at people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD). For adults, spend figures over the 3 years are approximately £50 million in 03/04, £66 million in 04/05 and we expect around £67 million in 05/06;
	programmes arranged by the University for Industry (UfI), where budgets for the 3 years are in the region of £164 million, £164 million and £141 million;
	School 6th Form provision for students aged 19+ at approximately £3.6 million in 03/04 and £4.5 million in 04/05. We can't say how many pupils there will be aged 19 and over in 2005/06 just yet.
	In addition, we provide support for learners through Additional Learning Support for specific student needs, around 40 per cent. of which is attributable to adults or, over the 3 years roughly £123 million, £132 million and £135 million, Learner Support Funds, also provide financial support in cases of hardship and to meet childcare costs. These total £80 million a year for adults. Adult Learning Grants are also being piloted in 19 LSC areas at an annual cost of £12 million.
	We also fund information, advice and guidance services for adult learners and potential learners at £36 million, £37 million and £38 million over the 3 years in question.
	I have not included in Annex 1, the current funding for these programmes, because this would distort the comparison between local LSCs, as some of this funding is routed to particular parts of the country where provision is available or where we are piloting.
	Annex 2 provides the participation information requested for 2003/04 and 2004/05. Figures for 2003/04 are actuals. Those for 2004/05 are estimated outturns—the 2004/05 academic year is yet to finish and, particularly for adult education which is primarily made up of shorter courses, the pattern of delivery across the academic year changes from year to year, making accurate prediction of full-year outturn difficult. Local LSCs are currently talking with providers across the whole range of our programmes for the 2005/06 year. It is too early to say what levels of participation we will see, but the LSC expects to achieve the targets we have been set on delivering the Government's priorities. This will lead to shifts in the balance of provision across programmes and we do expect a reduction in adult numbers in 2005/06 as a result. Our current estimate is that this will be around 300,000 learners, a reduction of around 7 per cent. from the 2004/05 planned level.
	Regarding your question on future enrolments by over 25s in level 3 and level 4 courses, we are not able to say at this time, what the impact will be. Whilst each of our local LSCs plan provision with their providers, we don't manage providers at that level of detail. Colleges and other adult education providers will make their own decisions on the number of learners they recruit and the level of fees they may charge to meet course costs.
	I hope this is helpful.
	Annex 1
	
		
			 LSC Name 2003/04 Allocation 
			  FE WBL (19+) ACL Total 
		
		
			 Norfolk 19,157,086 2,921,592 2,351,796 24,430,474 
			 Cambridgeshire 18,507,467 2,222,370 2,484,608 23,214,445 
			 Suffolk 14,770,183 3,162,014 2,823,263 20,755,460 
			 Bedfordshire and  Luton 20,688,000 1,222,944 1,965,011 23,875,955 
			 Hertfordshire 23,671,000 2,651,779 2,860,994 29,183,773 
			 Essex 29,412,441 4,805,988 7,716,175 41,934,604 
			 Regional Budget—  East of England0 
			 East of England  Total 126,206,177 16,986,687 20,201,847 163,394,711 
			 Derbyshire 33,090,901 3,816,306 6,058,735 42,965,942 
			 Nottinghamshire 47,859,536 5,074,842 3,520,897 56,455,275 
			 Lincolnshire and  Rutland 14,067,201 2,588,687 2,387,475 19,043,363 
			 Leicestershire 36,440,740 2,038,038 6,208,593 44,687,371 
			 Northamptonshire 15,927,000 2,665,697 2,292,541 20,885,238 
			 Regional Budget—  East Midlands0 
			 East Midlands Total 147,385,378 16,183,570 20,468,241 184,037,189 
			 London North 54,021,810 2,045,319 5,186,291 61,253,420 
			 London West 59,337,184 2,647,081 6,717,814 68,702,079 
			 London Central 118,090,284 4,531,838 12,542,537 135,164,659 
			 London East 112,132,881 5,055,375 16,505,406 133,693,662 
			 London South 47,508,170 3,774,394 7,522,002 58,804,566 
			 Regional Budget—  Greater London0 
			 Greater London  Total 391,090,329 18,054,007 48,474,050 457,618,386 
			 Northumberland 6,520,864 1,236,167 508,585 8,265,616 
			 Tyne and Wear 54,746,306 5,605,844 5,868,356 66,220,506 
			 County Durham 15,902,129 1,764,859 2,239,611 19,906,599 
			 Tees Valley 25,100,362 3,926,953 4,357,504 33,384,819 
			 Regional Budget—  North East0 
			 North East Total 102,269,661 12,533,823 12,974,056 127,777,540 
			 Cumbria 12,584,017 2,018,950 1,475,744 16,078,711 
			 Lancashire 50,267,380 5,193,195 8,687,600 64,148,175 
			 Greater Merseyside 56,949,165 9,589,191 8,430,726 74,969,082 
			 Greater Manchester 93,061,000 12,419,682 14,578,452 120,059,134 
			 Cheshire and  Warrington 22,952,000 4,168,432 2,413,581 29,534,013 
			 Regional Budget—  North West0 
			 North West Total 235,813,562 33,389,450 35,586,103 304,789,115 
			 MKOB 31,455,029 5,409,905 5,689,540 42,554,474 
			 Berkshire 21,310,729 3,290,962 3,577,090 28,178,781 
			 Hampshire and Isle  of Wight 50,355,843 5,122,003 3,089,659 58,567,505 
			 Surrey 21,810,689 1,237,358 3,833,000 26,881,047 
			 Sussex 38,065,188 4,369,946 4,635,867 47,071,001 
			 Kent and Medway 38,956,000 4,599,361 8,433,000 52,988,361 
			 Regional Budget—  South East0 
			 South East Total 202,953,478 24,029,535 29,258,156 256,241,169 
			 Devon and  Cornwall 50,581,051 6,829,575 6,510,514 63,921,140 
			 Somerset 16,731,352 1,390,494 3,617,476 21,739,322 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 18,123,058 2,825,082 2,009,599 22,957,739 
			 West of England 37,539.261 2,438,197 2,161,025 42,138,483 
			 Wiltshire and  Swindon 16,308,000 1,724,101 1,112,386 19,144,487 
			 Gloucestershire 13,829,027 1,837,789 2,746,411 18,413,227 
			 Regional Budget—  South West0 
			 South West Total 153,111,749 17,045,238 18,157,411 188,314,398 
			 Shropshire 13,771,361 5,604,524 1,050,733 20,426,618 
			 Staffordshire 35,333,725 4,865,306 3,605,596 43,804,627 
			 Black Country 44,434,141 4,577,219 6,011,062 55,022,422 
			 Birmingham and  Solihull 82,482,484 4,835,478 6,502,855 93,820,817 
			 Herefordshire and  Worcestershire 20,458,371 2,623,052 953,026 24,034,449 
			 Coventry and  Warwickshire 32,967,245 3,158,085 5,080,851 41,206,181 
			 Regional Budget—  West Midlands0 
			 West Midlands  Total 229,447,327 25,663,664 23,204,123 278,315,114 
			 North Yorkshire 17,948,819 2,392,078 3,077,223 23,418,120 
			 West Yorkshire 73,184,533 6,462,091 7,672,248 87,318,872 
			 South Yorkshire 44,809,370 5,223,684 4,119,027 54,152,081 
			 Humberside 32,006,135 3,077,900 4,083,006 39,167,041 
			 Regional Budget— 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside   0 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside Total 167,948,857 17,155,753 18,951,504 204,056,114 
			 National Contracting 
			 Service 0 19,748,833 0 
			  1,756,226,518 200,790,560 227,275,491 2,164,543,736 
		
	
	
		
			 LSC Name 2004/05 Allocation 
			  FE WBL (19+) ACL Total 
		
		
			 Norfolk 18,597,748 2,577,472 2,378,488 23,553,708 
			 Cambridgeshire 18,840,300 2,642,018 2,517,813 24,000,131 
			 Suffolk 15,625,277 3,209,003 2,834,436 21,668,716 
			 Bedfordshire and  Luton 20,674,000 1,388,856 1,941,481 24,004,337 
			 Hertfordshire 23,785,434 2,894,867 2,946,360 29,626,661 
			 Essex 31,919,325 3,996,808 7,671,588 43,587,721 
			 Regional Budget—  East of England0 
			 East of England  Total 129,442,084 16,709,024 20,290,166 166,441,274 
			 Derbyshire 31,530,715 3,922,506 6,244,794 41,698,015 
			 Nottinghamshire 47,160,881 5,457,695 3,794,823 56,413,399 
			 Lincolnshire and  Rutland 14,690,955 2,925,478 2,464,911 20,081,344 
			 Leicestershire 40,281,977 3,079,758 6,464,205 49,825,940 
			 Northamptonshire 14,984,652 2,713,267 2,285,598 19,983,517 
			 Regional Budget—  East Midlands0 
			 East Midlands Total 148,649,180 18,098,704 21,254,331 188,002,215 
			 London North 55,905,370 2,104,756 5,202,180 63,212,306 
			 London West 60,906,749 2,584,523 7,146,533 70,637,805 
			 London Central 123,049,936 4,920,764 12,551,168 140,521,868 
			 London East 120,663,295 3,101,449 16,345,420 140,110,164 
			 London South 52,072,024 4,035,401 7,756,336 63,863,761 
			 Regional Budget—  Greater London0 
			 Greater London  Total 412,597,374 16,746,893 49,001,637 478,345,904 
			 Northumberland 7,361,877 1,245,000 503,565 9,110,442 
			 Tyne and Wear 58,478,806 3,570,000 5,586,983 67,635,789 
			 County Durham 19,120,012 1,988,000 2,404,457 23,512,469 
			 Tees Valley 27,185,009 3,657,000 4,471,093 35,313,102 
			 Regional Budget—  North East0 
			 North East Total 112,145,704 10,460,000 12,966,098 135,571,802 
			 Cumbria 12,493,547 1,924,759 1,684,384 16,102,690 
			 Lancashire 52,371,000 5,104,629 9,003,261 66,478,890 
			 Greater Merseyside 57,783,962 8,402,182 9,101,803 75,287,947 
			 Greater Manchester 95,189,660 12,157,667 14,669,938 122,017,265 
			 Cheshire and  Warrington 24,069,864 4,114,892 2,489,792 30,674,548 
			 Regional Budget—  North West0 
			 North West Total 241,908,033 31,704,129 36,949,178 310,561,340 
			 MKOB 35,620,654 7,098,404 5,803,101 48,522,159 
			 Berkshire 25,417,860 4,530,508 3,723,248 33,671,616 
			 Hampshire and Isle  of Wight 47,880,510 6,906,564 3,146,465 57,933,539 
			 Surrey 24,647,296 2,203,198 3,867,629 30,718,123 
			 Sussex 40,754,000 4,827,932 4,760,137 50,342,069 
			 Kent and Medway 39,275,000 4,646,469 8,488,329 52,409,798 
			 Regional Budget—  South East0 
			 South East Total 213,595,320 30,213,075 29,788,909 273,597,304 
			 Devon and  Cornwall 52,665,397 7,517,714 6,624,841 66,807,952 
			 Somerset 17,190,677 1,572,974 3,618,569 22,382,220 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 19,512,489 3,201,500 2,079,617 24,793,606 
			 West of England 40,121,859 2,670,000 2,371,258 45,163,117 
			 Wiltshire and  Swindon 16,001,540 2,430,000 1,098,300 19,529,840 
			 Gloucestershire 14,344,793 1,981,820 2,692,739 19,019,352 
			 Regional Budget—  South West0 
			 South West Total 159,836,755 19,374,008 18,485,324 197,696,087 
			 Shropshire 14,410,580 1,678,277 1,014,644 17,103,501 
			 Staffordshire 38,379,523 5,826,000 3,419,531 47,625,054 
			 Black Country 45,526,650 5,296,439 6,101,301 56,924,390 
			 Birmingham and  Solihull 87,370,383 5,238,322 6,694,680 99,303,385 
			 Herefordshire and  Worcestershire 22,607,078 3,571,716 1,027,009 27,205,803 
			 Coventry and  Warwickshire 36,683,124 3,600,270 5,218,631 45,502,025 
			 Regional Budget—  West Midlands0 
			 West Midlands  Total 244,977,338 25,211,024 23,475,796 293,664,158 
			 North Yorkshire 19,434,000 2,989,838 3,178,451 25,602,289 
			 West Yorkshire 76,774,543 7,206,974 7,553,028 91,534,545 
			 South Yorkshire 48,386,149 6,383,653 4,190,689 58,960,491 
			 Humberside 33,657,087 2,802,753 4,142,383 40,602,223 
			 Regional Budget— 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside   0 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside Total 178,251,779 19,383,218 19,064,551 216,699,548 
			 National Contracting 
			 Service 2,491,877 51,670,956 0 54,162,833 
			  1,843,895,444 239,571,031 231,275,990 2,314,742,465 
		
	
	
		
			 LSC Name 2005/06 Allocation 
			  FE WBL (19+) ACL Total 
		
		
			 Norfolk 16,594,109 0 2,378,488 18,972,597 
			 Cambridgeshire 16,632,800 0 2,517,813 19,150,613 
			 Suffolk 13,670,734 0 2,834,436 16,505,170 
			 Bedfordshire and  Luton 18,748,754 0 1,941,481 20,690,235 
			 Hertfordshire 21,403,338 0 2,946,360 24,349,698 
			 Essex 27,696,593 0 7,671,588 35,368,181 
			 Regional Budget—  East of England  17,127,000  17,127,000 
			 East of England  Total 114,746,328 17,127,000 20,290,166 152,163,494 
			 Derbyshire 30,175,779 3,580,000 6,244,794 40,000,573 
			 Nottinghamshire 45,666,009 4,845,000 3,794,823 54,305,832 
			 Lincolnshire and  Rutland 11,536,418 2,290,000 2,464,911 16,291,329 
			 Leicestershire 39,031,307 2,917,000 6,464,205 48,412,512 
			 Northamptonshire 14,284,624 2,524,000 2,285,598 19,094,222 
			 Regional Budget—  East Midlands  0  0 
			 East Midlands Total 140,694,137 16,156,000 21,254,331 178,104,468 
			 London North 57,271,062 0 5,202,180 62,473,242 
			 London West 63,099,000 0 7,146,533 70,245,533 
			 London Central 123,183,676 0 12,551,168 135,734,844 
			 London East 119,202,610 0 16,345,420 135,548,030 
			 London South 52,146,317 0 7,756,336 59,902,653 
			 Regional Budget—  Greater London  17,165,000  17,165,000 
			 Greater London  Total 414,902,665 17,165,000 49,001,637 481,069,302 
			 Northumberland 6,677,297 1,276,125 503,565 8,456,987 
			 Tyne and Wear 54,689,000 3,659,250 5,586,983 63,935,233 
			 County Durham 17,973,747 1,998,750 2,404,457 22,376,954 
			 Tees Valley 26,872,556 3,748,425 4,471,093 35,092,074 
			 Regional Budget—  North East  -1,000  -1,000 
			 North East Total 106,212,600 10,681,550 12,966,098 129,860,248 
			 Cumbria 11,630,193 1,973,000 1,684,384 15,287,577 
			 Lancashire 49,528,928 5,232,000 9,003,261 63,764,189 
			 Greater Merseyside 57,190,952 8,611,000 9,101,803 74,903,755 
			 Greater Manchester 91,005,613 12,463,000 14,669,938 118,138,551 
			 Cheshire and  Warrington 22,240,198 4,218,000 2,489,792 28,947,990 
			 Regional Budget—  North West0 
			 North West Total 231,595,884 32,497,000 36,949,178 301,042,062 
			 MKOB 29,938,656 7,448,000 5,803,101 43,189,757 
			 Berkshire 25,376,000 5,240,000 3,723,248 34,339,248 
			 Hampshire and Isle  of Wight 48,965,498 7,265,000 3,146,465 59,376,963 
			 Surrey 22,869,714 2,844,000 3,867,629 29,581,343 
			 Sussex 40,395,000 5,062,000 4,760,137 50,217,137 
			 Kent and Medway 36,782,429 4,824,000 8,488,329 50,094,758 
			 Regional Budget—  South East  -1,715,000  -1,715,000 
			 South East Total 204,327,297 30,968,000 29,788,909 265,084,206 
			 Devon and  Cornwall 49,849,761 5,066,802 6,624,841 61,541,404 
			 Somerset 15,306,931 1,061,968 3,618,569 19,987,468 
			 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 18,883,558 2,156,287 2,079,617 23,119,462 
			 West of England 32,229,399 1,806,263 2,323,407 36,359,069 
			 Wiltshire and  Swindon 14,852,309 1,627,607 1,098,300 17,578,216 
			 Gloucestershire 12,864,753 1,330,301 2,692,739 16,887,793 
			 Regional Budget—  South West  6,809,772  6,809,772 
			 South West Total 143,986,711 19,859,000 18,437,473 182,283,184 
			 Shropshire 14,939,274  1,014,644 15,953,918 
			 Staffordshire 36,008,000 0 3,419,531 39,427,531 
			 Black Country 47,010,520 0 6,101,301 53,111,821 
			 Birmingham and  Solihull 90,037,855 0 6,694,680 96,732,535 
			 Herefordshire and  Worcestershire 23,102,474 0 1,227,009 24,329,483 
			 Coventry and  Warwickshire 36,616,416 0 5,218,631 41,835,047 
			 Regional Budget—  West Midlands  25,841,000  25,841,000 
			 West Midlands  Total 247,714,539 25,841,000 23,675,796 297,231,335 
			 North Yorkshire 16,880,078 0 3,170,071 20,050,149 
			 West Yorkshire 75,603,910 0 7,557,700 83,161,610 
			 South Yorkshire 47,482,512 0 4,192,555 51,675,067 
			 Humberside 31,684,376 0 4,144,225 35,828,601 
			 Regional Budget— 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside 19,782,000  19,782,000 
			 Yorkshire & Humberside Total 171,650,876 19,782,000 19,064,551 210,497,427 
			 National Contracting 
			 Service 2,250,000 76,662,000 0 78,912,000 
			  1,778,081,037 266,738,550 231,428,139 2,276,247,726 
		
	
	Annex 2, Adult Participation
	2003/04 actuals, 2004/05 planned
	
		
			 2003/04 
			   FE WBL ACL Total 
		
		
			  National Employer  Service 36,793 21,503 — 58,296 
			 EE060 Norfolk 55,171 1,701 15,307 72,179 
			 EE070 Cambridgeshire 39,864 1,338 13,248 54,450 
			 EE080 Suffolk 27,914 1,607 17,313 46,834 
			 EE090 Bedfordshire and Luton 49,236 813 10,785 60,834 
			 EE100 Hertfordshire 38,314 1,665 4,217 44,196 
			 EE110 Essex 55,658 2,039 32,855 90,552 
			 EM010 Derbyshire 79,412 1,710 13,870 94,993 
			 EM020 Nottinghamshire 99,087 2,555 13,918 115,560 
			 EM030 Lincolnshire and Rutland 87,553 1,232 15,569 104,354 
			 EM040 Leicestershire 77,012 1,361 25,029 103,402 
			 EM050 Northamptonshire 29,437 1,450 14,861 45,748 
			 GL120 London North 63,167 766 10,281 74,214 
			 GL130 London West 59,295 830 26,394 86,519 
			 GL140 London Central 151,908 1,744 40,750 194,402 
			 GL150 London East 187,455 1,318 43,534 232,307 
			 GL160 London South 73,273 1,802 31,637 106,712 
			 NE170 Northumberland 9,097 588 4,178 13,863 
			 NE180 Tyne and Wear 97,531 2,498 25,155 125,184 
			 NE190 County Durham 40,481 932 6,693 48,106 
			 NE200 Tees Valley 62,973 1,399 15,827 80,199 
			 NW210 Cumbria 32,292 1,003 10,950 44,245 
			 NW220 Lancashire 103,162 2,760 59,624 165,546 
			 NW230 Greater Merseyside 99, 226 4,377 20,977 124,580 
			 NW240 Greater Manchester 159,429 6,280 28,619 194,328 
			 NW250 Cheshire and Warrington 53,207 2,364 18,445 74,016 
			 SE260 Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire 64,206 2,734 46,500 113,439 
			 SE270 Berkshire 36,091 1,986 19,302 57,378 
			 SE280 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 130,446 2,874 28,610 161,930 
			 SE290 Surrey 45,693 891 27,037 73,621 
			 SE300 Sussex 64,372 2,104 55,660 122,136 
			 SE310 Kent and Medway 86,652 2,148 34,284 123,083 
			 SW320 Devon and Cornwall 118,982 4,009 45,174 168,165 
			 SW330 Somerset 33,499 806 15,559 49,864 
			 SW340 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 38,628 2,443 13,545 54,616 
			 SW350 West of England 53,638 1,338 6,078 61,054 
			 SW360 Wiltshire and Swindon 44,394 1,351 8,265 54,010 
			 SW370 Gloucestershire 30,296 928 17,746 48,969 
			 WM380 Shropshire 27,632 887 3,244 31,763 
			 WM390 Staffordshire 74,910 2,416 22,152 99,478 
			 WM400 Black Country 83,978 2,492 17,869 104,339 
			 WM410 Birmingham and Solihull 124,760 1,875 15,183 141,818 
			 WM420 Herefordshire and 
			  Worcestershire 59,254 1,638 1,000 61,892 
			 WM430 Coventry and 
			  Warwickshire 74,708 1,534 8,400 84,642 
			 YH440 North Yorkshire 55,918 1,395 13,696 71,010 
			 YH450 West Yorkshire 133,304 3,739 28,610 165,652 
			 YH460 South Yorkshire 81,921 2,409 12,000 96,330 
			 YH470 Humberside 81,769 1,495 18,000 101,264 
			  TOTALS 3,413,000 111,125 977,950 4,502,075 
		
	
	
		
			 2004/05 
			   FE WBL ACL Total  
		
		
			  National Employer Service 36,793 23,204 — 59,997 
			 EE060 Norfolk 49,908 1,726 16,000 67,634 
			 EE070 Cambridgeshire 39,320 1,264 15,833 56,417 
			 EE080 Suffolk 32,895 1,405 17,071 51,371 
			 EE090 Bedfordshire and Luton 42,847 775 11,000 54,621 
			 EE100 Hertfordshire 41,062 1,588 4,000 46,651 
			 EE110 Essex 47,494 2,051 32,400 81,946 
			 EM010 Derbyshire 78,954 1,702 15,425 96,081 
			 EM020 Nottinghamshire 94,355 2,539 13,918 110,811 
			 EM030 Lincolnshire and Rutland 37,393 1,130 13,430 51,954 
			 EM040 Leicestershire 91,285 1,509 23,530 116,324 
			 EM050 Northamptonshire 27,756 1,324 15,150 44,230 
			 GL120 London North 64,012 820 10,525 75,357 
			 GL130 London West 51,298 789 28,042 80,129 
			 GL140 London Central 135,943 1,781 41,000 178,724 
			 GL150 London East 190,182 1,212 50,572 241,965 
			 GL160 London South 75,152 1,539 43,350 120,041 
			 NE170 Northumberland 9,989 538 3,684 14,210 
			 NE180 Tyne and Wear 111,463 2,181 20,569 134,213 
			 NE190 County Durham 44,266 842 7,030 52,137 
			 NE200 Tees Valley 55,964 1,330 13,251 70,545 
			 NW210 Cumbria 31,149 951 10,950 43,050 
			 NW220 Lancashire 99,821 2,927 59,624 162,372 
			 NW230 Greater Merseyside 95,486 4,183 24,000 123,669 
			 NW240 Greater Manchester 159,081 5,933 28,600 193,614 
			 NW250 Cheshire and Warrington 45,137 2,499 17,800 65,436 
			 SE260 Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire 63,001 2,616 34,000 99,617 
			 SE270 Berkshire 42,158 2,024 20,000 64,183 
			 SE280 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 109,024 3,034 28,610 140,668 
			 SE290 Surrey 48,009 1,027 24,000 73,036 
			 SE300 Sussex 63,081 2,268 50,690 116,039 
			 SE310 Kent and Medway 75,989 2,248 36,150 114,387 
			 SW320 Devon and Cornwall 114,748 3,735 52,648 171,131 
			 SW330 Somerset 41,431 809 4,265 46,505 
			 SW340 Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole 41,428 1,528 13,760 56,716 
			 SW350 West of England 57,655 1,329 6,100 65,084 
			 SW360 Wiltshire and Swindon 42,948 1,237 6,386 50,571 
			 SW370 Gloucestershire 32,589 931 16,500 50,020 
			 WM380 Shropshire 32,934 807 5,646 39,387 
			 WM390 Staffordshire 77,091 2,268 29,650 109,010 
			 WM400 Black Country 82,100 2,315 18,048 102,462 
			 WM410 Birmingham and Solihull 135,401 2,037 15,183 152,621 
			 WM420 Herefordshire and Worcestershire 43,732 1,598 1,000 46,330 
			 WM430 Coventry and Warwickshire 69,612 1,538 9,400 80,550 
			 YH440 North Yorkshire 53,765 1,422 13,696 68,882 
			 YH450 West Yorkshire 126,541 3,600 25,822 155,963 
			 YH460 South Yorkshire 79,676 2,098 12,000 93,774 
			 YH470 Humberside 75,011 1,387 18,000 94,398 
			  TOTALS 3,296,927 109,597 978,308 4,384,832

Basic Skills Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate has been made of the number of 16 to 18-year-olds who are eligible for basic skills training; and what proportion have taken it up.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has not produced a detailed estimate of 16 to 18-year-olds eligible for and taking up basic skills training. However, the Department does collect separate data on achievements in English and Mathematics of 15-year-old school leavers and Skills for Life course enrolments for 16 to 18-year-olds.
	In the academic year of 2003/04 56 per cent. of 15-year-olds left school with a level 2 GCSE (A*-C) qualification in English (table 1) and 50 per cent. in Mathematics (table 2).
	
		Table 1: Number and percentage of GCSE achievements by 15-year-old pupils in English (2003/04)
		
			  English GCSE A*-C English GCSE D-G English no qualification 
			 Academic year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2003/04 359,250 56 226,737 35 57,573 9 
		
	
	Source:
	These figures are based on data produced for, and checked by schools as part of, the Secondary School (GCSE and equivalent) Achievement and Attainment tables (formerly Performance tables).
	
		Table 2: Number and percentage of GCSE achievements by 15-year-old pupils in Mathematics (2003/04)
		
			  Mathematics GCSE A*-C Mathematics GCSE D-G Mathematics no qualification 
			 Academic year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2003/04 318,874 50 266,002 41 58,698 9 
		
	
	Source:
	These figures are based on data produced for, and checked by schools as part of, the Secondary School (GCSE and equivalent) Achievement and Attainment tables (formerly Performance tables).
	Any young person who leaves school without a GCSE A*-C (Level 2 qualification) in English or Mathematics is eligible for a Skills for Life course. Skills for Life courses include a literacy or numeracy qualification up to level 2 (basic skills, GCSE's and key skills). In 2003/04 nearly 278,000 16 to 18-year-olds enrolled on a Skills for Life course (table 3).
	
		Table 3: Number of 16 to 18-year-old learners taking upSkills for Life opportunities
		
			  16 to 18-year-olds 
		
		
			 2003/04 277,986 
		
	
	Source:
	LSC ILR data, final 2003/04
	In total, just over 621,000 courses in literacy and numeracy were enrolled upon by 16to 18-year-olds in 2003/04 (table 4 and 5).
	
		Table 4: Number of Skills for Life learning opportunities taken up by 16 to 18-year-olds by course (2003/04)
		
			 Course 2003/04 
		
		
			 Basic Skills 159,640 
			 GCSE 77,103 
			 Key Skills 422,903 
			 Total 659,646 
		
	
	Source:
	LSC ILR data, final 2003/04
	
		Table 5: Number of Skills for Life learning opportunities taken up by 16–18 year olds by subject (2003/04)
		
			 Subject 2003/04 
		
		
			 Literacy 314,905 
			 Numeracy 306,170 
			 ESOL 38,571 
			 Total 659,646 
		
	
	Source:
	LSC ILR data, final 2003/04

Black/Ethnic Minority Pupils

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the educational attainment of black and ethnic minority pupils in Liverpool in (a) primary, (b) secondary, (c) further and (d) higher education.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the educational attainment of pupils, broken down by ethnic origin in primary, secondary and further education for all local authorities is published on the Department's website. The information is available at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000564/index.shtml
	Information on the educational attainment of students from Liverpool in higher education is shown in the following table. The figures show that the proportion of graduates from Liverpool who are from ethnic minority groups is lower than for graduates from the rest of the country.
	
		UK domiciled first degree students graduating from UK higher education institutions in 2003/04
		
			  Students from Liverpool Students from the rest of the UK 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Total first degree graduates of which: 1,665 100.0 256,895 100.0 
			 White 1,390 83.6 206,845 80.5 
			 Black and ethnic minority groups 145 8.7 35,750 13.9 
			 Other(9) 125 7.6 14,300 5.6 
		
	
	(9)Students who did not provide details of their ethnicity.
	Note:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5, so components may not sum to totals; percentages have been rounded to 1 decimal place.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Key Stage Tests

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research her Department has undertaken on attainment at key stage 3 taking into account (a) gender, (b) social class, (c) racial or ethnic background, (d) eligibility for free schools meals and (e) location of school.

Jacqui Smith: Statistics on key stage 3 attainment by various pupil characteristics are published annually in a Statistical First Release (SFR). The 2004 key stage 3 information was made available on 30 September 2005 in additional information to the SFR entitled National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and Equivalent Attainment and Post-16 Attainment by Pupil Characteristics, in England 2004. This is available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000564/index.shtml
	Similar information can be found in The Statistics of Low Attaining Pupils bulletin which was published in June 2005 and is available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SBU/b000588/index.shtml

Teachers/Schools (Website Criticism)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has issued to (a) teachers and (b) schools on steps they may take if they believe they have been unfairly criticised on the www.ratemyteachers.co.uk website; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 18 October 2005
	My right hon. Friend has not issued any guidance on this website. It is open to teachers and schools to seek their own professional advice on the steps available to them in response to criticism on this or any other website.

Teenage Mothers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many women who have become pregnant or given birth before reaching the age of 16 years attained five GCSEs at grades A*-C in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Beverley Hughes: Data on births to mothers aged under 16 and data on educational attainment are reported separately, and only at an aggregate level. It is therefore not possible to provide exact figures on the educational attainment of teenage mothers.
	However, other sources of data do show there is a strong relationship between poor educational attainment and teenage pregnancy. Data from the 2001 census show that 37 per cent. of mothers giving birth under the age of 19 had no educational qualifications, compared with a national average of around 10 per cent. for all young women. Aggregated data on teenage pregnancy rates and GCSE attainment also show that areas with high teenage pregnancy rates have poorer GCSE outcomes, even after taking account of deprivation.

Timber Procurement

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans her Department has to fund the maintenance of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber.

Bill Rammell: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my hon. Friend Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 160W.

Under-age Drinking

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to reduce the incidence of under-age drinking among school pupils; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The statutory National Curriculum Science Order requires that all pupils should learn about the effects of alcohol and other drugs. In addition, schools are expected to use the non-statutory frameworks for Personal Social Health Education (PSHE) and Citizenship at key stages 1 and 2, PSHE at key stages 3 and 4 and the Citizenship programme of study at key stages 3 and 4 as the context for developing drug and alcohol education further. In 2004 all schools were issued with guidance on all aspects of drug education, including alcohol.
	Since 1997, we have made over £70 million available to local education authorities to support drug, alcohol and tobacco education and prevention in schools. Over the last three years more than 3,000 teachers have undertaken the PSHE certificate which sets standards in the teaching of PSHE, including alcohol education.
	Together with the Home Office and Department of Health, we are supporting a national five year research programme called Blueprint" to test the effectiveness of drug education initiatives in schools. It will make a significant contribution to developing a UK evidence base for drug, alcohol and tobacco education.

TRANSPORT

2012 Olympics (Transport Access)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to promote an additional access road for Canvey Island for use during the 2012 London Olympic games.

Karen Buck: There are no plans for an access road for Canvey Island for use during the 2012 London Olympic games, as it does not currently feature in Olympic plans as a venue and is not likely to be subject to significant additional traffic due to the Olympics.

Air Traffic Control (Computer Malfunction)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions the National Air Traffic Control Service's computer has malfunctioned in the last three years.

Karen Buck: This is an operational matter for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS). I have asked the Chief Executive of NATS to write to the hon. Member.

Aircraft Flights (Buckinghamshire)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the trend in the number of aircraft flights over Buckinghamshire during the last five years.

Karen Buck: None. The Future of Air Transport White Paper stated that air travel had increased five-fold over the past 30 years, and demand was projected to be between two and three times the current levels by 2030. There were no specific figures for Buckinghamshire or any other part of the UK.

Aircraft Flights (Buckinghamshire)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the likely future trend in (a) the number of aircraft flights and (b) level of aircraft noise over Buckinghamshire during the next 10 years.

Karen Buck: No such estimates have been made.

Aviation Subsidies

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what aviation public service obligation subsidy applications have been received from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Karen Buck: The Department has recently agreed to support an application from the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) for a public service obligation (PSO) to be placed on a new air route between Cardiff and RAF Valley on Anglesey.
	Officials are now working with WAG to take forwards the PSO process with the European Commission.

Aviation Subsidies

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) airlines and (b) routes receive public service obligation subsidies in the United Kingdom.

Karen Buck: At present, two airlines operate services which receive public service obligation (PSO) subsidies. They currently operate 15 routes within Scotland.

Aviation Subsidies

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on public service obligations subsidies to airlines in the United Kingdom.

Karen Buck: The imposition of public service obligations (PSOs) is governed by European legislation laid out in Regulation 2408/92. This regulation sets out a number of criteria which must be met in order for a PSO to be imposed.
	Applications to create a PSO are considered by the Department for Transport against these criteria. The Secretary of State then decides whether to impose a PSO on that route. The only PSOs currently in operation are in support of 15 lifeline air services to remote communities in Scotland.

Bus Lanes

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of priority bus lanes have been created in Southend since 1997.

Karen Buck: Southend borough council has not installed any priority bus lanes since 1997. The borough council has implemented a range of other bus priority measures including real time bus information displays at bus stops, bus priority at junctions and improved interchange facilities.

Civil Aircraft Noise

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the monitoring of the compliance of civil aircraft noise levels with international noise certification standards.

Karen Buck: Aircraft operating into the UK have to comply with noise standards agreed through the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Compliance for those aircraft on the UK register will be verified by the Civil Aviation Authority; for non-UK aircraft it will be by the state of registry. Airports may seek information from airlines on the noise certification status of aircraft in the event of uncertainty.

Cleaner Fuels

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action is being taken to increase the use of cleaner alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions.

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to secure increased use of cleaner alternative fuels.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government support the use of clean, low carbon fuels primarily by means of fuel duty incentives. The rationale for decisions on the level of Government support for different fuels is set out in the Alternative Fuels Framework published in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 2003 pre-Budget report. We have also been considering whether some form of Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation might be an appropriate means of increasing the use of renewable fuels in the transport sector. We are due to publish a detailed feasibility study on this shortly.
	In addition, this Department has recently launched a new grant programme to help meet some of the additional costs of installing refuelling infrastructure for certain clean alternative fuels, the details of which are available via www.est.org.uk/fleet

Coastguard Services

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on coastguard services in (a) Essex and (b) the UK in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The information is as follows.
	
		
		
			  Essex UK 
		
		
			 1999 1,020,204 28,892,893 
			 2000 1,036,381 32,031,655 
			 2001 1,111,544 33,390,008 
			 2002 1,212,651 34,473,643 
			 2003 1,350,647 35,639,554 
			 2004 1,375,103 39,108,456 
		
	
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was formed in 1998 and information is only available from 1999.

Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles for which the Department is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

Karen Buck: Of the vehicles which the Department is responsible, 15 have been fitted with retreaded tyres.
	For information on the use of retread tyres in vehicles provided to the Department by the Government Car and Despatch Agency I refer the hon. Member to the letter of 11 October 2005 which he received from the Chief Executive of the GCDA, reference UIN15087 and UIN15088. Copies of this letter are available in the Library.

Driving (Right-hand Side)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a study into the advantages and disadvantages of driving on the right-hand side of the road.

Stephen Ladyman: There are no plans to undertake such a study. A study of the implications of changing to driving on the right was considered some time ago and was rejected on both safety and cost grounds.

Driving (Right-hand Side)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received in favour of driving on the right-hand side of the road.

Stephen Ladyman: None.

First Class Rail Fares

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the level of take-up of first class rail fares by (a) private and (b) corporate customers.

Derek Twigg: Data on the nature of travel for every first class rail journey are not held centrally by the Department. We are aware that the majority of first class corporate travel takes place at the full, flexible fare. The national Rail Travel Survey to be launched by the Rail Passengers Council under the Railways Act 2005 will capture the business/leisure split in future years.
	An analysis of ticket types sold in the year to August 2006 shows that 75.4 per cent. of first class travel was full open fare type, compared to 24.6 per cent. of advance purchase, Apex and other promotional fare offers.

Free Travel

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the annual percentage increase in the number of passengers using buses following the introduction on 1 April 2006 of free travel for those aged 60 years and above; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The Government's initial estimate is that between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007, bus patronage in England will grow by 5.6 per cent.

Impounded Vehicles

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cars were impounded by each London borough in each year since 1997; and what the cost was to each borough in each year.

Karen Buck: Since 3 July 2000, the Mayor has had overall responsibility for traffic management in London. However, responsibility for parking enforcement in London, generally rests with the relevant local authority. London boroughs employ parking attendants to enforce parking controls on all the roads for which they are the highway authority.
	The Government do not hold this information. However, the Association of London Government's Transport and Environment Committee (ALGTEC) co-ordinate parking enforcement on behalf of the London boroughs and compile parking statistics. Their address is:
	Transport  Environment Committee
	Association of London Government
	New Zealand House
	80 Haymarket
	London
	SW1Y4TE

Midland Mainline

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely impact on Midland Mainline services out of St. Pancras of train traffic to the London 2012 Olympic village.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 17 October 2005
	The impact of train traffic to the London 2012 Olympic village upon Midland Mainline services out of St. Pancras is expected to be minimal. St. Pancras stations' major role in the Olympic transport plans is as a terminus for the Olympic Javelin service, which will provide a regular service direct to Stratford with a journey time of approximately seven minutes. Midland Mainline passengers will have an excellent interchange with the Javelin service at the new St. Pancras station, for onward journeys to Stratford.

Motorways

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many sites there are on the motorway and trunk road network marked with chevrons designed to ensure motorists keep their distance from the car in front; and what their locations are.

Stephen Ladyman: There are at present chevron markings at six sites:
	M1southbound from Watford Gap services to just before junction 16;
	M5between junctions 22 and 21 northbound carriageway;
	M56junction 1214 westbound and eastbound carriageways;
	M6junction 1819 northbound and southbound carriageways;
	M6junction 3233 southbound carriageway;
	M62between junctions 23 and 22 westbound carriageway.
	In addition to the above sites works are currently in progress to install chevron markings on the southbound section of the M11 in Essex between junctions 9 and 8. This scheme is due for completion on 4 November 2005.

Powered Wheelchairs/Scooters

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the sale of mini-motorcycles and powered scooters to minors; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: None, although we have received some representations from concerned members of the public about nuisance and road safety issues arising when such vehicles are ridden by children or adults on the public highway.
	In the Department's view it is illegal to use vehicles not compliant with road traffic law on the public highway. It is for the courts to provide an authoritative interpretation of the law, and two High Court judgements have confirmed miniature motor scooters to be motor vehicles within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as amended. We believe it likely that a similar judgement could be made on other vehicles, such as miniature motorcycles, should a court case arise.
	Powered vehicles on the public highway must meet relevant construction requirements and be registered, taxed, insured etc. Drivers/riders must hold an appropriate licence and where necessary wear a suitable helmet. Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual chief officers of police. In addition police forces can counter irresponsible use with powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to seize vehicles being driven in a careless and inconsiderate manner or off-road without consent and in a way which causes alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.
	I understand that the packaging on powered items such as miniature motorcycles or scooters generally includes a warning that they are not for highway use. However it may be that, once such packaging is discarded, this is overlooked or ignored. My Department and the Home Office have both issued guidance on our websites to remind the public about responsible use of these vehicles and possible penalties for mis-use.

Powered Wheelchairs/Scooters

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish the results of his Department's review of laws governing the use of powered wheelchairs and scooters on the highway.

Karen Buck: The review has now been completed. We are considering the recommendations made in the final report and we hope to publish it before the end of this year.

Railways

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the award for the Integrated Kent Franchise.

Derek Twigg: Around 100 letters about proposed service patterns and other aspects of the Department's franchise specification have been received from local organisations, councils or MPs since January 2004. Ministers have met Kent MPs to discuss these issues on several occasions. Over the same period, around 1,280 letters on the subject of the Integrated Kent Franchise were dealt with by the Strategic Rail Authority, principally from members of the public.
	The Department has also received around 140 letters from local organisations, councils or MPs, supported by a postcard campaign, on the related issue of South Eastern Trains being retained in the public sector.

Railways

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  for what percentage of stations on the rail network plans have been approved for the renovation to make them accessible to wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility;
	(2)  how many stations on the rail network are not accessible to wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility;
	(3)  what estimate has been made of the number of disabled people and people with reduced mobility who are unable to make journeys on the rail network because their local station is not accessible;
	(4)  what steps are being taken to improve accessibility to stations on the rail network for wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport does not hold the information requested.
	Under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 station operators, like other service providers, are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to access their services. Operators are responding to those duties.
	Accessibility improvements are being delivered by different mechanisms such as franchising, major projects, investment in rolling stock and maintenance and renewal of the rail network. Over half of railway journeys currently originate from step-free stations. The Government have also announced a ring-fenced fundthe Access for All Fundto deliver 370 million worth of station access improvements across the network over the next 10 years. The fund was announced at the launch of the consultation on the Strategic Railway Authority's (SRA) draft Railways for All Strategy on how best to make the railway more accessible. We plan to publish the final Strategy which will establish priorities for the Access for All fund around the end of this year.

Railways

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions his Department has had with the association of train operating companies on encouraging train use by passengers, with particular reference to Gravesham.

Derek Twigg: I have not had any specific discussions regarding rail usage in Gravesham with ATOC. In order to encourage off peak travel into London and Kent, South Eastern trains and other train operating companies, in association with ATOC, have recently teamed up with a number of major tourist attractions to offer special deals to those travelling by train.

Railways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions road transport replaced trains between Swindon and Gloucester or Cheltenham in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: In the year to 13 October 2005 road transport replaced trains between Swindon and Gloucester or Cheltenham on 33 days for planned engineering works. The Department for Transport does not keep records of the number of occasions on which road transport replaces trains on an unplanned basis.

Road Traffic Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Stephen Ladyman: Section 75 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is a road safety and consumer protection measure to deter the sale of unroadworthy vehicles to unsuspecting purchasers. It also makes it an offence for anyone to alter a vehicle so as to make it unroadworthy, for example, by carrying out poor quality repairs. Trading Standards officers are primarily responsible for enforcing the provisions of section 75 and offenders can be fined up to 5,000.

Second Severn Bridge

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the construction costs of the second Severn bridge will be met; and what the outstanding debt on the crossing is.

Stephen Ladyman: The concession agreement and the legislation governing the Severn river crossing provides for the concessionaire to charge tolls for using the existing bridge and the new bridge (from its opening to the public in 1996) for a period of 30 years or until the concessionaire has realised costs associated with the construction of the new bridgewhichever occurs first. Current estimates are that costs will be realised in 2016.
	As at 31 December 2004, the outstanding debt was 443,361,000. This figure is not just construction costs for the second Severn bridge but also original debt, maintenance, operational and finance costs associated with both Severn bridges.

Stonehenge

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will announce the arrangements for his review of the alternative options for the Stonehenge A303 Road Improvement scheme, including a timetable for the review.

Stephen Ladyman: We expect to be in a position to make an announcement by the end of October 2005 on the terms of reference and management arrangements, including the timetable, for taking forward the review of the A303 Stonehenge scheme.

Traffic Cones

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will arrange for different colour cones to be used to mark the approach of a junction and the end of the temporary lane on major highways where long lines of traffic cones are used to delineate temporary lanes.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government have no current plans to amend the Traffic Signs Regulations and general Directions 2002 to allow the use of different coloured cones (road works delineators) to mark the approach of junctions in major roadworks.
	The Secretary of State has recently approved the use of sequentially flashing cone lamps to improve the visibility of cones at the taper positions. The Highways Agency continues to investigate innovative ways to improve cones, barriers, signing and marking at roadworks.

Transport (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of transport infrastructure needs in Gravesham.

Karen Buck: Local transport infrastructure requirements are assessed by the relevant local transport authority. In the case of Gravesham, this responsibility lies with Kent county council. Kent county council submitted a draft five-year Local transport plan to the Department in July this year. DfT officials are currently examining the plan and Kent county council aim to provide a finalised plan by March2006.

Transport (Gravesham)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account his Department takes of the protection of (a) historic homes and (b) forests in (i)Gravesham and (ii) England in approving the construction of (A) new railways and (B) other transport infrastructure.

Karen Buck: The department evaluates transport and infrastructure projects in Gravesham and across England using the NATA (new approach to appraisal) process. As part of this process, local authorities are asked to appraise their transport plans against an environment objective which in turn includes landscape, biodiversity and heritage/historic resources sub-objectives.

HEALTH

Age Barriers

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of NHS facilities which operate an explicit age bar to treatment.

Liam Byrne: The 2002 cross-cutting review on health inequalities recognised age as one dimension of tackling health inequalities. Better Health in Old Age published in November 2004, helped to ensure that people are treated on the basis of their needs, rather than their age. There has been a major increase in elective surgery for most old-age related needs and there is now a wider appreciation and awareness across health and social care of age discrimination as an issue. Action is being taken at a local level and national health service organisations have been advised to check their written policies to ensure they have no age bias.

Agenda for Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding funding for healthcare in East Sussex for the period 2005 to 2010; and what proportion of this funding will be spent on the NHS Agenda for Change.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 October 2005
	I am not aware of any representations on healthcare funding in East Sussex. The Department does not collect information on the future spend in individual national health service organisations on Agenda for Change. These costs will vary depending on the size and composition of the work force.

Agenda for Change

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received regarding the implementation of the NHS Agenda for Change at the East Sussex hospitals NHS trust.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 October 2005
	I am aware of correspondence to my right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Health (Dr. Reid), in February 2005 about the funding and implementation of Agenda for Change in the East Sussex hospitals national health service trust. I understand that, while recognising the challenges for organisations, the response pointed to the huge investment of around 1 billion by 200506 to meet the costs of implementing Agenda for Change that has been provided for in NHS local budgets.
	The NHS Employers organisation provides support directly, where necessary, to individual hospital and primary care trusts on implementation issues.

Alliance Medical

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 5 October 2005, Official Report, column 2811W, on Alliance Medical, whether the capacity planning exercise conducted with strategic health authorities in 2004 took into consideration underused existing capacity in the NHS; and what the cost was of the exercise.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 October 2005
	The capacity planning exercise was to establish what additional capacity was required to deliver the Department's public service agreement targets. Assessment of the utilisation of existing national health service capacity is a matter for strategic health authorities (SHAs), which are responsible for working with commissioners and providers in local health economies to ensure that existing NHS diagnostic capacity is used to its full potential.
	The costs of the capacity planning exercise in 2004 were mainly the time of the staff concerned in the Department, SHAs, and primary care trusts (PCTs). This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Alliance Medical

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 October 2005, Official Report, column 2810W, on Alliance Medical, what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the additionality rule with labour laws which will make it illegal to prevent someone working for whoever they choose; and how the rule is enforced.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	The additionality policy was created after careful consideration of the need to balance the safe guarding of national health service staff resources, in view of the shortages of certain specialists, doctors and nurses, and the rights of individuals to pursue freely their trade and profession. The Department examined all employment and related legislation and the additionality policy is fully compliant with these laws and is enforceable.

Ambulance Services

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had on the report A Strategic Review of the Provision and Commissioning of Ambulance Services across Cheshire and Merseyside; and what steps her Department is taking to implement the report.

Liam Byrne: Departmental officials have received a copy of the report arising from this review. However, departmental officials have not held any formal discussions with regard to implementation. This is a matter for the Cheshire and Merseyside strategic health authority who are working with the Mersey regional ambulance service with regard to the recommendations contained in the report and how they might be implemented.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the standard of care available to those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Liam Byrne: In 2000, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the use of Methylphenidate in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). NICE is currently reviewing this guidance in the wider context of other pharmacological and physiological interventions in children, young people and adults with ADHD.
	The national service framework for children, young people and maternity services, which was published in September 2004, mapped out the improvement which we expect to see in child and adolescent mental health services over the next decade. Early in 2006, we will publish an exemplar which will illustrate a care pathway for a child suffering ADHD, which will demonstrate good practice and assist in the planning of effective services.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes of care for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder there have been in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Finished consultant episodes (FCEs) with a primary psychiatric diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ICD-10 code F90), by gender, England, 199697 to 200304(10)
		
			  Gender 
			  Male Female All FCEs 
		
		
			 200304(10) 210 30 240 
			 200203 200 40 230 
			 200102 240 40 280 
			 200001 220 50 270 
			 19992000 180 40 220 
			 199899 170 40 210 
			 199798 150 30 180 
			 199697 110 30 140 
		
	
	(10)Data has not been adjusted for shortfalls in data, i.e. the data are ungrossed.
	Notes:
	1.ICD-10 Code F90 includes disturbance of activity and attention (F90.0) and hyperkinetic disorder (F90.1), and hyperkinetic disorder other/NOS (F90.8/F90.9).
	2.Disclosure rules apply due to the sensitive nature of the data; therefore, figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	3.A FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	Source:
	Hospital episode statistics, National Health Service Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions of Ritalin have been issued in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the following table. The figures are taken from the prescription cost analysis from the Prescription Pricing Authority.
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 2000 181 
			 2001 180 
			 2002 162 
			 2003 124 
			 2004 68

Autism

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) how many diagnoses have been made of autism spectrum disorders in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  what data her Department collects on levels of autism in the adult population;
	(3)  how many children under the age of eight have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Diagnoses of autistic spectrum disorders (ADSs) within hospitals are available from hospital episode statistics (HES). These are shown in the table.
	
		Number of finished consultant episodes involving a diagnosis of ASD(11), by age at end of episode, England, 19992000 to 200304
		
			  Age at end of episode 
			  16 and under Over 16 Unknown All diagnoses 
		
		
			 200304 5,780 2,360 10 8,150 
			 200203 5,630 2,320 0 7,950 
			 200102 5,180 2,100 0 7,280 
			 200001 4,980 1,750 10 6,730 
			 19992000 4,200 1,490 0 5,680 
		
	
	(11)ASDs include childhood autism, atypical autism, Asperger's syndrome, Rett's syndrome and other less common ASDs.
	Source:
	HES, national health service health and social care information centre.
	The Department does not collect data centrally on the levels of autism in the adult population, nor does it collect information on the diagnosis of children under the age of eight.
	The Medical Research Council's Review of Autism Research: Epidemiology and Causes, (2001) suggests that:
	... there appears fairly good agreement that autism spectrum disorders affect approximately 60, and more narrowly defined autism 1030, per 10,000 children under eight.
	It also suggests that the prevalence in autism in the adult population is not known.

Biopsy Specimens

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number and percentage of biopsy specimens mislaid within the national health service in the last year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not collect this information centrally.

Births

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies weighing 8.8lbs or more were born in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Dr. Vincent Cable, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many babies weighing 8.81b or more were born in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available. (17827)
	Birthweight figures are routinely published in metric weights. Figures for live born babies weighing 4,000g or more born to women resident in England 200004 are given in the attached table.
	
		Live born babies by selected birthweight to women resident in England, 200004(12)
		
			  Live births weighing 4,000g or more All live births with a stated birthweight 
		
		
			 2000 64.381 571,844 
			 2001 62,770 562,886 
			 2002 62,156 564,823 
			 2003 64,648 588,952 
			 2004(12) 66,941 606,070 
		
	
	(12)Provisional
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Births

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) how many cases of shoulder dystocia were recorded in births of children weighing more than 8.8lbs in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many cases of cephalopelvic disproportion were recorded in births of childen weighing more than 8.8lbs in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(3)  how many babies weighing (a) 8.8lbs or more, (b) 5.9lbs to 8.7lbs and (c) less than 5.8lbs died as a direct result of complications during birth in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(4)  whether she plans to introduce standard NHS guidelines for the delivery of babies weighing more than 8.8lbs; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  what discussions she has held with (a) the Royal College of Gynaecologists and (b) other professional bodies about the development of protocols for very large babies delivered in NHS maternity wards.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of cases of shoulder dystocia and cephalopelvic disproportion in births of children weighing more than 8.8lbs. is not collected centrally.
	Information on the number of babies weighing 8.8lbs. or more, 5.9lbs. to 8.7lbs. and less than 5.8lbs., who died as a direct result of complications during birth, is not collected centrally.
	I have not held any discussions with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists or other professional bodies about the development of protocols for the delivery of very large babies.
	I currently have no plans to introduce standard national health service guidelines for the delivery of babies weighing more than 8.8lbs. Current evidence suggests identification of large for gestation babies, even with the advent of ultrasound scanning, has large margins of error. Current evidence also suggests management of expected/suspected babies of larger than 4000 grams, or larger than 8lb. 14 oz., shows no significant difference in actual morbidity and mortality of babies, whether labour is induced, spontaneous or elective caesarean section.
	Maternity clinical risk management standards have been developed by the NHS Litigation Authority, which administers the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. The standards include training for and management reporting of shoulder dystocia and have been fully endorsed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives.

Blindness (Rehabilitation Workers)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what short-term contingency measures are being implemented to address deficiencies in the number of qualified rehabilitation workers who assist blind and partially sighted people in England.

Liam Byrne: Rehabilitation services for blind and partially sighted people are provided by local health and social care bodies. It is for those organisations to commission appropriate services based on local need. This would include the number, training and composition of teams available to provide rehabilitation for blind and partially sighted people.

Breast Cancer

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with (a) Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust and (b) Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority regarding the provision of local breast care services for the residents of Altrincham and Sale;
	(2)  what representations she has received on the closure of the breast care service at Trafford General Hospital.

Liam Byrne: None. Ministers have so far only received one letter concerning this matter.

Burns Review

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to announce the findings of the Burns Care Review.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 13 October 2005
	The National Burn Care Group reported in 2001 and made many recommendations for how this care could be improved. The work now under way is designed to implement the recommendations in particular how burns services should be stratified. This is a complex exercise being undertaken by the national health service. The need to ensure a transparent and evidence-based process has required a greater level of analysis and discussion with burns services than originally envisaged. The options sub-group of the national burn care group are not now anticipating making recommendations before spring 2006 with a public consultation likely in summer 2006.

Cataract Units

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are expected to be treated at the independent treatment cataract units in (a) Oxfordshire and (b) England in the first year of operation.

Liam Byrne: The service commenced in February 2004 for the mobile cataract units and is still operational. During the first year of operation (February 2004 to January 2005) over 10,776 patients received speedier service due to the additional capacity delivered through this contract, none of which were in Oxfordshire.
	The mobile cataract units expected to perform 12,999 procedures in the first year of Operation, none of which are expected to be delivered in Oxfordshire.

Cataract Units

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there are plans to renew Netcare's contract to provide independent treatment scheme cataract units.

Liam Byrne: The current contract with Netcare for the provision of cataract procedures via two mobile units is for five years. The decision about whether to renew this contract will be decided at a later date.

Cataract Units

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the performance of independent treatment scheme cataract units will be assessed as part of trusts' performance targets.

Liam Byrne: Independent sector treatment centres are separate organisations to national health service trusts and therefore their performance is judged separately through contract management.

Cataract Units

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it has cost on average to treat a patient at independent treatment scheme cataract units in (a) Oxfordshire and (b) England since they were established.

Liam Byrne: The average cost of a cataract procedure cannot be disclosed as the information is commercial in confidence. The contract represents good value for money, being substantially less than the national health service equivalent cost.

Coeliac Disease

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve rates of diagnosis of coeliac disease; what steps she is taking to improve the standard of care given to those with coeliac disease; and how many people have been diagnosed as having coeliac disease in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Data on the incidence of coeliac disease is not available centrally though Coeliac UK estimates that the condition affects one per cent. of the United Kingdom population.
	It is the role of primary care trusts (PCTs) in partnership with local stakeholders to decide what services to provide for their populations, including those with coeliac disease. They are best placed to understand local health care needs and commission appropriate services to meet them.
	Strategic health authorities and PCTs have all received the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions. While the NSF is principally concerned with improving health and social care services for people with a long-term neurological condition, it will address issues common to all people with a long-term condition to improve their quality of life and promote independence.

Communications Difficulties

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that those who have difficulty communicating with others are able to access the communication aids they need.

Liam Byrne: The Department sets targets for councils and primary care trusts to integrate their community equipment services and in April 2005, 98 per cent. of services were integrated with their partners. This high degree of integration should allow local partners to provide a cohesive response to people with communication difficulties who are assessed as requiring equipment.
	Providing appropriate communication aids for people with speech impairments is clearly an important part of meeting the needs of an individual. Local service providers undertake the assessment of an individual's needs. It is the service provider's responsibility to ensure that the person has access to the communication aids and equipment to meet their assessed need.

Cystic Fibrosis

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many researchers have been funded by her Department for the purpose of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis; and at what cost in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The Department provided 1.3 million to support research into a gene therapy treatment for cystic fibrosis involving 31 researchers in two research groups.

Down's Syndrome

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average life expectancy is of people with Down's syndrome; and what estimate she has made of the average total cost of health care for each person with Down's syndrome over their whole lifetime.

Liam Byrne: The information requested on life expectancy and the average total cost of health care is not held centrally.

General Practitioners

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners are making referrals using the choose and book system.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not centrally collected. However, over 80 percent. (25,679) of general practitioners are currently registered to use choose and book and about 760 general practitioner practices are making referrals using the choose and book system.

General Practitioners

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Department has established a recommended charging scale for work undertaken by GPs when filling out forms for patients referred by private insurance companies.

Liam Byrne: There is a list of prescribed medical certificates at Schedule 4 in the national health service general medical service Contracts Regulations 2005, which the general practitioner must provide free of charge under the NHS. All other certificates, including filling out forms for patients referred by private insurance companies, are undertaken as private work and the GP can charge a fee, the level of which is a matter between doctor and patient.

General Practitioners

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of deaths caused by misdiagnosis by general practitioners; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to minimise the risks to patients' lives of misdiagnosis by general practitioners; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not routinely collect information centrally about misdiagnosis by general practitioners. However, the Government established the National Patient Safety Agency in July 2001 to improve the safety of national health service patient care and to set up a national reporting and learning system (NRLS) for adverse events. This system has now been rolled out across the NHS.
	No cases have been reported to the NRLS to date where the patient died as a result of misdiagnosis reported to the NRLS. However, the NRLS has received only a relatively small number of incidents from primary care. Two deaths have been reported where there was a delay in diagnosis, one as a result of delay on the part of the patient.
	GPs are expected to learn in training the skills needed to deal with all their patients, including effective diagnosis. Government do not specify the content of the GP training curriculum. This is the job of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB), which is the competent authority for postgraduate medical training in the United Kingdom. PMETB is an independent professional body.
	Regulations specify seven competencies which must be tested and which the curriculum must therefore teach:
	factual medical knowledge sufficient to enable the doctor to perform the duties of a GP.
	the ability to apply factual medical knowledge to the management of problems presented by patients in general practice.
	effective communication, both orally and in writing.
	the ability to consult satisfactorily with general practice patients.
	the ability to review and critically analyze the practitioner's own working practices and to manage any necessary changes appropriately.
	clinical skills.
	the ability to synthesize all of the above competencies and apply them appropriately in a general practice setting.
	All GPs are also subject to annual appraisal. This involves the GP discussing their practice with a trained appraiser against the headings of the General Medical Council's (GMC) Good Medical Practice guidance. Agreed areas for improvement are taken forward into a personal development plan which informs the doctor's training and development, which is reviewed over the following year. More serious concerns are dealt with outside of this process through a number of local and national arrangements, including retraining or reference to the GMC.

Hearing Aids

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospitals have waiting lists for digital hearing aids of over (a) six months, (b) one year and (c) two years.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally.

Hospital Closures

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many responses the West Suffolk Primary Care Trust received to its consultation document into the closure of the Walnuttree and St. Leonard's hospitals in Sudbury; and if she will publish them.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally and can be obtained from the West Suffolk Primary Care Trust.

Hypertension

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the care given to those with hypertension; and what steps she is taking to encourage self-monitoring of blood pressure.

Liam Byrne: The quality and outcomes framework that underpins the existing general medical services contract contains 11 quality indicators relating to measurement of blood pressure, including a section devoted to recording diagnosis and ongoing management of high blood pressure.
	The Department's public health campaigns make a significant contribution to preventing hypertension. These include campaigns on smoking and healthy eating, and the Food Standards Agency's campaign on reducing salt consumption.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Newcastle guideline development and research unit have issued a guideline on the diagnosis and management of hypertension, or high blood pressure, in adults in primary care. The routine use of home monitoring devices for blood pressure is not currently recommended because their value has not been adequately established and their appropriate use in primary care remains an issue for further research.

Hypothyroidism

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to inform health professionals on how best to diagnose hypothyroidism; what current best practice is in relation to the diagnosis of hypothyroidism; and whether she plans to instruct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to draw up guidance on the diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism.

Liam Byrne: At present, it is considered good medical practice to confirm a diagnosis of hypothyroidism though physical examination, clinical history and blood tests.
	PRODIGY guidance (www.prodigy.nhs.uk) offers advice on the management of a range of conditions and symptoms, including hypothyroidism, that are commonly seen in primary care. The guidance is advisory and has been developed to assist health care professionals, together with patients, make decisions about the management of the patient's health.
	We are committed to keeping all interventions and management regimes under review and will consider commissioning guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) if these have a significant impact on patient care, national health service resources, or Government health related policies. We have no plans at this time to instruct NICE to develop guidance on the diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism. or Government health related policies. We have no plans at this time to instruct NICE to develop guidance on the diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism.

International Recruitments

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses and midwives and (b) doctors were internationally recruited through bilateral agreements or memoranda of understanding in each year for which figures are available, broken down by country.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 October 2005
	We have bilateral agreements or Memoranda of Understanding with India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa and Spain.
	The numbers of doctors and nurses registering with the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council respectively since 2001 are shown in the following tables.
	
		Doctorsincluding specialist registrars,general practitioners and junior doctors
		
			  Year of registration 
			 Country 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 India 1,326 1,892 2,985 3,643 
			 Indonesia 1 0 0 1 
			 Philippines 9 8 17 16 
			 South Africa 547 892 3204 4 
			 Spain 88 115 121 107 
		
	
	
		Nurses
		
			  Year of registration 
			 Country 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 India 218 1,352 2,655 3,709 
			 Indonesia 0 0 5 1 
			 Philippines 1,692 4,361 4,747 2,898 
			 South Africa 772 1,065 1,878 1,202 
			 Spain 374 197 308 220 
		
	
	Note:
	These tables relate to registration and therefore do not identify where the individual was employednational health service or independent sectoror even if the individual secured employment in the United Kingdom.

Management and Administrative Costs

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the management and administrative costs referred to in the guidance on commissioning a patient-led NHS issued on 28 July by Sir Nigel Crisp will be defined; and how much was spent on them in the NHS financial year 200405.

Liam Byrne: In Commissioning a Patient led NHS, management and administrative costs are defined as the pay costs, non-pay costs and the cost of estate relating to the management and administration in primary care trusts (PCTs), strategic health authorities (SHAs) and ambulance trusts. Pay costs relating to management and administration are separately identified in a note to the audited annual accounts of SHAs and PCTs.
	Total management costs for 200405 were 2.58 billion3.7 per cent. of the total national health service budget and 1.3 per cent. lower than in 199798.
	Non-pay and estate costs relating to management and administration are not separately identified in the notes to the accounts.

Maternity Units

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals in England have midwife-led maternity units; and how many births took place in each in 2004.

Liam Byrne: This information is not collected centrally.
	The maternity records collected through the Hospital Episodes Statistics system are usually identified only to trust level, rather than to any specific unit within the trust. Some trusts provide information regarding the staff group with lead responsibility for care for example, midwife-led or consultant-led, but this does not allow the identification of midwife-only units.

Mesothelioma

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what advice she has received from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the effectiveness of Alimta, in combination with other interventions, in ameliorating mesothelioma;
	(2)  in which national health service areas Alimta is accepted as a treatment for mesothelioma by the NHS.

Jane Kennedy: Alimta is licensed for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma and can be prescribed across the national health service for those patients who fit the licensed criteria with the agreement of the clinicians and primary care trusts (PCTs) concerned.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is appraising Alimta for the treatment of mesothelioma and guidance is expected in October 2006.
	Funding for licensed treatments should not be withheld because guidance from NICE is unavailable. In these circumstances, we expect PCTs to take full account of available evidence when reaching funding decisions. This is confirmed in Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks NHS bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the treatment or technology first became available.

Methadone

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths have been attributed to methadone use in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Andrew Rosindell, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths have been attributed to methadone use in each of the last five years. (18008)
	Available figures relate to the number of deaths from drug-related poisoning where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate. The most recently available information is for deaths in 2003. It is not possible to identify from death certificates which substance was the primary cause when more than one was involved. Figures related to the number of deaths where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate, either alone or with other substances, are shown in the table below. This table is taken from information published in the annual report: Deaths related to drug poisoning: England and Wales, 19992003, which was published in Health Statistics Quarterly 25 in February 2005.
	
		Number of deaths from drug-related poisoning(13)where methadone was mentioned on the death certificate, England and Wales, 19992003(14)
		
			  Methadone mentioned alone(15) Methadone and other substances Total mentions of methadone 
		
		
			 1999 168 130 298 
			 2000 133 105 238 
			 2001 97 110 207 
			 2002 90 126 216 
			 2003 68 107 175 
		
	
	(13)cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes F11-F16, F18-F19, X40-X44, X60-X64, X85 and Y10-Y14.
	(14)Data are for deaths occurring in the calendar year.
	(15)Methadone was the only drug mentioned on the death certificate.

Mobile Communications (Interference)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has to re-examine the Medical Devices Agency's device bulletin, MDA DB 9702 March 1997, published in March 1997, on the effects of mobile communications on a range of medical devices.

Jane Kennedy: The advice in the publication DB 9702, Electromagnetic Compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications, has been reviewed on a regular basis by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and its predecessor the Medical Devices Agency.
	A further device bulletin, DB 1999(02), Emergency Service Radios and Mobile Data Terminal: Compatibility Problems with Medical Devices, was published in May 1999, which addressed the impact of radio communications on the safe use of a range of medical devices.
	An update document, SN 2001(06), was published in March 2001, which covered the potential interference with medical devices by TETRA radio systems employed by the emergency services and media broadcasts from hospital premises.
	Most recently, the MHRA published guidance on its website in July 2004, which referenced DB 9702 and DB 1999(02). This guidance advised that health care providers should actively manage the use of radio frequency spectrum on their own sites, and consider the potential effects of communication equipment on all medical devices.

Myasthenia Gravis

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the Government provides for people diagnosed with myasthenia gravis; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Government are sympathetic to the needs of patients with myasthenia gravis and the impact this condition can have on their independence and quality of life.
	Patients with myasthenia gravis are able to access a range of national health service and social care services, which are tailored to meet their individual needs, to help them manage their condition. It is for primary care trusts, in consultation with other stakeholders, to determine which services, including those for people with myasthenia gravis, their local populations require and ensuring the appropriate provision of these services.
	The national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions is supporting local sustained improvements in service quality for people with long-term neurological conditions, including myasthenia gravis. The NSF addresses a range of key issues including the need for equitable access to a range of services; good quality information and support for patients and carers; the ability to see a specialist and get the right investigations and diagnosis as quickly as possible.

National Pulmonary Hypertension Service

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made for central funding of the national pulmonary hypertension service for (a) the current year and (b) 2006.

Liam Byrne: Pulmonary hypertension centres are nationally designated by the National Specialised Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) but pulmonary hypertension services are commissioned and funded by primary care trusts; there are no plans to change these arrangements. NSCAG's ongoing role is limited to setting national pulmonary hypertension standards and monitoring pulmonary hypertension centres' adherence to these standards on a biennial basis.

National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role is performed by the national specialist commissioning advisory group in supporting regional centres of (a) specialism, (b) research and (c) drug treatment.

Liam Byrne: The national specialised commissioning advisory group (NSCAG) nationally commissions very specialised services for a specified list of rare conditions when a handful of hospitals across the country provide a service to a national caseload not exceeding 1,000 (and frequently less than 400) a year. Specialised services, including drug treatments or research, which are provided at regional level are not within the remit of NSCAG.

No Secrets Guidance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2005, Official Report, column 1911W, on the No Secrets guidance, whether each local authority has (a) established multi-agency adult protection procedures in accordance with No Secrets and (b) produced a multi-agency annual report or statement on vulnerable adults work; and how many (i) adult protection referrals were received, (ii) investigations were undertaken and (iii)investigations were upheld as adult protection by each local authority.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspections (CSCI), that out of 150 local authorities, 145 have established multi-agency adult protection procedures in accordance with No Secrets. Four local councils have reported procedures that were underdeveloped.
	Out of 150 local authorities, 99 have produced a multi-agency annual report or statement on vulnerable adults work, while 45 have reported that this work was underdeveloped.
	The information obtained by CSCI on progress in developing multi-agency protection procedures will be used as part of the criteria for performance assessments.
	Information on the number of adult protection referrals received, investigations undertaken and investigations that were upheld as adult protection by each local authority is not held centrally or by CSCI.

Pakistani Midwives

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Pakistani midwives applied to be registered with the National Midwifery Council as part of the overseas nursing programme in each of the last three years; and how many were accepted.

Liam Byrne: The overseas nurses programme was introduced by the Nursing and Midwifery Council on 1 September 2005. The programme does not apply to midwives.
	Data on registrations are not collected by the Department.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the care given to those with peripheral vascular disease.

Liam Byrne: The Department convened the vascular programme board last year to co-ordinate work on all vascular diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease. The board was set up because the prevention and treatment of these disease areas are closely linked and there are considerable synergies on such issues as primary and secondary prevention, chronic disease management and health inequalities. The board will play a major role in the achievement of the Governments targets in these areas.
	The Department's public health campaigns make a significant contribution to preventing peripheral vascular disease. These include campaigns on smoking and healthy eating, and the Food Standards Agency campaign on reducing salt consumption.

Prescription (Charges/Guidance)

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health where English primary care trusts can use (a) All Wales Medicines Strategy Group and (b) Scottish Medicines Consortium guidance to make decisions on funding and prescribing where National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisals are not available.

Jane Kennedy: In August 1999, the Department issued Health Service Circular 1999/176, which asks national health service bodies to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of the available evidence, which can include guidance issued by the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group and the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

Prescription (Charges/Guidance)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions incurring a prescription charge were dispensed with a net ingredient cost of (a) under 3.50 and (b) under 6.50 in the last three years for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the table. The figures are taken from the prescription cost analysis of the Prescription Pricing Authority.
	
		Prescription items dispensed
		
			  Under 3.50 Under 6.50 Total number of chargeable items dispensed Total number of items dispensed 
		
		
			 2002 23.8 30.2 59.6 617.0 
			 2003 23.5 29.8 58.9 649.7 
			 2004 23.4 29.9 57.8 686.1

Primary Care Trusts

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many planned primary care trusts will cover areas outside geographic areas covered by corresponding hospital trusts.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	Following the publication of Commissioning a Patient led NHS on 28 July, strategic health authorities will be submitting proposals to the Department for the configuration of their primary care trusts (PCTs) based on criteria set out in the document. The Department will consider the proposals and respond by the end of November. Any agreed changes will require formal straightforward consultation for three months from December. I am therefore unable to say what the configuration of PCTs will be until the outcome of that is known.

Private Sector NHS Treatment

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements will be placed on private sector providers of services to the NHS to invest in the training of medical staff.

Liam Byrne: Independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) providing a service to the national health service will be expected to offer training for all staff. This will be included in their contract.

Private Sector NHS Treatment

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact on NHS recruitment and retention of the demand for medical staff in the new private health centres.

Liam Byrne: Recruitment and retention are kept under review as part of longer term medical work force planning which aims to deliver sufficient appropriately trained people to provide the healthcare that is needed, whatever the setting. We have introduced rules to ensure that skilled professionals remain in the national health service.

Psychological Therapy

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times for psychological therapy were in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by mental health trust.

Liam Byrne: Information is not available in the requested format. The Department only collects waiting times for consultant led services and since the majority of referrals for psychological therapies would be to other mental health professionals such as clinical psychologists, this information does not capture the volume of activity accurately. At the end of June, there were 362 people waiting for an outpatient appointment with a psychotherapy consultant. Of these, 25 had waited 13 to 17 weeks, 77 eight to 13 weeks, 127 four to eight weeks, and 133 less then four weeks. A further six people were waiting for an inpatient appointment with a psychotherapy consultant. Of these, three had waited less than a month and the other three had waited less than two months. In line with the Government's manifesto commitment, the Department will continue to improve services for people with mental health problems at primary and secondary levels and this will include extending the availability of psychological therapies of proven effectiveness.

Scanning Services

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who incurs the financial cost of making a site ready for a mobile scanner operated by Alliance Medical Ltd.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	The national health service is responsible for ensuring that sites are suitable for the mobile scanning units to allow scanning to commence. To support this, the Department allocated central funding to strategic health authority clusters to upgrade the sites identified by SHAs.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of sexually transmitted diseases were diagnosed in (a) England, (b) London and (c) Kingston and Surbiton (i) in each year since 2002 and (ii) in each of the last 12 months; and which sexually transmitted disease was the most frequently diagnosed in each case.

Caroline Flint: The number of new diagnoses of syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital chlamydial infection, herpes, genital warts and other diagnoses seen in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics (KC60 return) in England, London, and the Kingston Primary Care Trust (PCT) are shown in the tables. For all these geographical areas, the most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infection over the time period shown was genital chlamydial infection.
	
		1: Diagnoses of selected sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) GUM clinics by sex, England, 200204
		
			 Condition code Condition description Sex 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 A1, A2 Primary and secondary infectious syphilis Male 1,059 1,350 1,748 
			   Female 137 181 262 
			 B1, B2 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea Male 16,940 16,236 14,605 
			   Female 7,417 7,220 6,299 
			 C4A, C4C Uncomplicated chlamydial infection Male 34,331 37,927 42,518 
			   Female 43,786 47,470 50,096 
			 C10A Anogenital herpes simplexfirst attack Male 6,522 6,424 6,421 
			   Female 10,988 10,696 10,468 
			 C11A Anogenital wartsfirst attack Male 33,983 34,569 36,397 
			   Female 29,951 30,625 31,701 
			  Total all other STDs1, 2 Male 202,107 216,942 228,407 
			   Female 256,459 263,550 267,497 
		
	
	
		2: Diagnoses for selected STDs in GUM clinics by sex, London, 200204
		
			 Condition code Condition description Sex 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 A1,A2 Primary and secondary infectious syphilis Male 568 621 732 
			   Female 76 103 115 
			 B1,B2 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea Male 7,114 6,190 5,614 
			   Female 3,043 2,639 2,095 
			 C4AC4C Uncomplicated chlamydial infection Male 9,442 9,845 10,186 
			   Female 9,987 10,366 10,526 
			 C10A Anogenital herpes simplexfirst attack Male 1,995 2,034 1,958 
			   Female 2,872 2,943 2,853 
			 C11A Anogenital wartsfirst attack Male 7,230 6,955 7,372 
			   Female 5,777 5,578 5,735 
			  Total all other STDs1, 2 Male 71,542 79,955 84,327 
			   Female 90,827 91,795 93,045 
		
	
	
		3: Diagnoses of selected STDs in GUM clinics by sex, Kingston PCT, 200204
		
			 Condition code Condition description Sex 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 A1, A2 Primary and secondary infectious syphilis Male (18) 11 21 
			   Female (18) (18) (18) 
			 B1, B2 Uncomplicated gonorrhoea Male 43 47 49 
			   Female 18 35 46 
			 C4A, C4C Uncomplicated chlamydial infection Male 287 304 330 
			   Female 480 476 568 
			 C10A Anogenital herpes simplexfirst attack Male 24 25 52 
			   Female 65 73 105 
			 C11A Anogenital wartsfirst attack Male 152 196 251 
			   Female 175 220 233 
			  Total all other STDs1, 2 Female 1,369 1,548 1,809 
			   Male 1,152 1,397 1,896 
		
	
	(16)Diagnoses include: complicated gonorrhoea, chancroid/lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)/donovonosis, complicated chlamydial infection, uncomplicated non-gonococcal/non-specific urethritis in males, molluscum contagiosum, trichomoniasis, scabies/pediculosis pubis. A full list of conditions is given on the Health Protection Agency website at www.hpa.org.uk.
	(17)Not all diagnoses made in GUM clinics are sexually transmitted.
	(18)Between one and 10 cases diagnosed.

Sleep Apnoea

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will direct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to conduct an appraisal on the use of continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnoea.

Liam Byrne: We have no plans to ask the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to conduct an appraisal on the use of continuous positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnoea.

Specialist Rehabilitation Beds

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what the average number of specialist rehabilitation beds per 1,000 people in (a) each of the English regions and (b) England was in the latest year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the optimum number of specialist rehabilitation beds per 1,000 people in England; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 October 2005
	Information is not centrally collected on the number of specialist rehabilitation beds and no such estimate has been made of the optimum number of specialist rehabilitation beds per 1,000 people in England. The number of beds in national health service facilities varies, depending on the range and type of services they provide and the way in which the admission and discharge of patients is managed. These are matters for the NHS locally to determine, but work is in hand to scope the current provision of rehabilitation services across health and social care.

Stroke

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods her Department is using to increase awareness and understanding of stroke.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 October 2005
	The Department highlighted stroke as one of eight standards in the older people's national service framework (2001). In recognition of the need to increase understanding of stroke prevention, care and treatment, the Department is investing 20 million over five years in a new United Kingdom stroke research network.
	The Department's public health campaigns make a significant contribution to preventing strokes. These include campaigns on smoking and healthy eating, and the Food Standards Agency campaign on reducing salt consumption.

Targets

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the targets that (a) her Department and (b) each executive agency her Department is responsible for has set during the next 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: The Department's forward plan sets out its objectives. This is available on the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/11/71/22/04117122.pdf. Copies are available in the Library.
	The Secretary of State must approve targets set by executive agencies.
	The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's (NHS PASA) targets are published in its business plan. This is available on the NHS PASA website at http://www.pasa.nhs.uk/publications/200506 Business Plan. pdf. Copies are available in the Library.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) targets are published in its business plan. This is available on the MHRA website at http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/comms-sp/documents/publication/cond018034.pdf. Copies are available in the Library.

Thyroid Patients

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many thyroid patients have been wrongly diagnosed as having chronic fatigue syndrome in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected by the Department.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will set out the (a) purpose, (b) programme and (c) costs of the consultation Your Health, Your Care, Your Say.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	The Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation is a deliberative process designed to find out what the public wants from community health and social care services to meet its everyday needs. The programme includes four regional public engagement events, held in Gateshead, Leicester, London and Plymouth and a national event in Birmingham. Local health and social care communities, as well as stakeholder and voluntary organisations, are being encouraged to facilitate local public engagement events. People can also take part in the consultation by completing an on-line questionnaire at www.nhs.uk/yoursay. The estimated eventual cost of the nationally organised elements of the consultation is expected to be about 1.2 million, funded from the Department's running costs budget.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how members of the public are selected to attend events organised as part of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 October 2005
	Members of the public are selected randomly from electoral registers. They are invited to express an interest in attending an event and to provide details about themselves. The final selection is designed to be broadly representative of the public and health and social care service users in the regional or national populations, taking account factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, health and personal circumstances.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many strategic health authorities held local consultations on your health, your care, your say, broken down by (a) location and (b) number of people who attended.

Liam Byrne: We have encouraged strategic health authorities and local authorities, as well as professional and voluntary organisations, to facilitate local engagement events, but details about where these are taking place and the number of people attending is not collected centrally.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which organisations have been invited to complete the questionnaire on Your Health, Your Care, Your Say.

Liam Byrne: The on-line questionnaire is for people to complete as individuals and more than 9,000 questionnaires have been completed so far.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the results of the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say questionnaire to be published.

Liam Byrne: We will publish the results from the Department's website questionnaire around the time we publish our White Paper on improving community health and care.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance was given to Opinion Leaders Research by her Department on the organisations to which invitations to regional consultations on Your Health, Your Care, Your Say should be issued.

Liam Byrne: None. Invitations to take part in regional consultations are issued to individuals not to organisations.

Your Health, Your Care, Your Say

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people attended the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say regional meetings at (a) Gateshead, (b) Leicester, (c) London and (d) Plymouth;
	(2)  when (a) the minutes and (b) the attendee lists of the regional consultations on Your Health, Your Care, Your Say will be published;
	(3)  what the agenda items were at the Your Health, Your Care, Your Say regional consultations (a) in England and (b) in London on 29 September.

Liam Byrne: Information about the numbers of attenders, the agendas and the outcomes of the regional Your Health, Your Care, Your Say consultation events in Gateshead, Leicester, London and Plymouth are set out in the reports of those events, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The names of members of the public who attended these events is not held by the Department. The national consultation will take place in Birmingham on Saturday, 29 October 2005.

TREASURY

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the purposes of child benefit.

Dawn Primarolo: Child benefit recognises the costs of children for all families by directing weekly support for each child to the main carer irrespective of income. The rate of child benefit for the first child has risen by 25 per cent. in real terms since 1997.
	The Government have recently taken powers to extend child benefit to young people over the age of 16 in unwaged training and to 19-year-olds who are finishing a course of education or unwaged training they started before they turned 19. This extension will be implemented from April 2006.

Child Trust Fund

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are employed in the administration of the Child Trust Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The number of people employed in the administration of the Child Trust Fund is currently 79.

European Court of Justice (UK Tax Revenue)

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the cases pending before the European Court of Justice in which UK tax revenue is at stake.

Dawn Primarolo: There are a number of cases pending before the European Court of Justice challenging UK tax law and the legislation of other member states.
	The UK direct and indirect tax cases pending before the ECJ are set out as follows:
	UK direct tax cases pending before the ECJ:
	C-446/03, Marks and Spencer
	C-196/04, Cadbury-Schweppes
	C-374/04, Test Claimants in Class IV of the ACT Group Litigation
	C-446/04, Test Claimants in the Fll Group Litigation
	C-524/04, Test Claimants in the Thin Capitalization Group Litigation
	C-201/05, Test Claimants in the CFC and Dividend Group Litigation
	C-203/05, Vodafone 2
	UK indirect tax cases pending before the ECJ:
	C-484/03, Bond House Systems
	C-354/03, Optigen
	C355/03, Fulcrum Electronics Ltd
	C-63/04, Centralan Property Ltd
	C-255/02, Halifax
	C-41902, BUPA
	C22303, Huddersfield
	C-369/04, Hutchinson 3G UK ltd
	C-251/05, Talacre Beach Caravan Sales
	C-491/04, Dollond and Aitchison
	C-384/04, Federation of Technological Industries and 53 others
	C305/03, Commission v UK
	It would not, however, be sensible for me to speculate as to whether or not UK tax revenue is at stake in advance of decisions to be taken by the ECJ.

Employment Statistics (North-east)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were in work in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the UK in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment. (19309)
	The attached table shows the total number of people, aged 16 and over, in employment, resident in the Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside local authority and for the UK for the periods ending in February each year from 1998 to 2004 (based on annual local area Labour Force Survey data) and for April 2004 to March 2005, the latest available data, from the Annual Population Survey. These estimates as with any sample survey are subject to sampling variability.
	The data is published on the Office for National Statistics's Nomis website: www.nomisweb.co.uk.
	
		Table 1: Number of people aged 16 and over in employment by area of residence -- Thousand
		
			 12 months ending Jarrow constituency South Tyneside United Kingdom 
		
		
			 February 1998 32 57 26,357 
			 February 1999 35 59 26,659 
			 February 2000 36 58 26,908 
			 February 2001 35 58 27,180 
			 February 2002 36 60 27,433 
			 February 2003 35 61 27,566 
			 February 2004 35 60 27,789 
			 March 2005 35 62 28,032 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey

Employment Statistics (North-east)

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the level of long-term (a) youth and (b) adult employment was in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside and (iii) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many people were unemployed in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the UK in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about unemployment. (19307, 19308)
	Tables 1 to 3 attached show the total number of unemployed, the numbers of long-term adult unemployed (over 12 months) and long-term youth (aged 16 to 24) unemployed in the Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside local authority and for the UK for the periods ending in February each year from 1998 to 2004 (based on annual local area Labour Force Survey data) and for April 2004 to March 2005, the latest available data, from the Annual Population Survey. These estimates, as with any sample survey, are subject to sampling variability.
	The Office for National Statistics also compiles statistics of those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for local areas. Tables 4 to 6 attached show the annual average number of adult JSA claimants, claiming for over 12 months, and the corresponding number of JSA claimants aged 18 to 24 (claiming for over 12 months) resident in the Jarrow constituency, South Tyneside and the UK for 1997 to 2004.
	The data in tables 4 to 6 are published on the Office for National Statistics's Nomis(r) website: www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		Table 1: Number of unemployed resident in the Jarrow constituency -- Thousand
		
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 month sending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 5 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 3 (20) (20) 
			 February 2000 4 1 (20) 
			 February 2001 4 1 (21) 
			 February 2002 4 1 (20) 
			 February 2003 3 1 (20) 
			 February 2004 3 (21) (20) 
			 March 2005(19) 3 1 (20) 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(19)Annual Population Survey.
	(20)Zero or disclosive sample size.
	(21)Less than 500.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 2: Number of unemployed resident in South Tyneside -- Thousand
		
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 months ending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 8 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 7 3 (23) 
			 February 2000 11 4 (23) 
			 February 2001 8 3 (24) 
			 February 2002 7 2 (24) 
			 February 2003 7 1 (24) 
			 February 2004 6 1 1 
			 March 2005(22) 6 1 (24) 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(22)Annual Population Survey.
	(23)Zero or disclosive sample size.
	(24)Less than 500.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 3: Number of unemployed in the United Kingdom -- Thousand
		
			   Long-term unemployed (over 12 months) 
			 12 months ending All All Youth (aged 16 to 24) 
		
		
			 February 1998 1,911 n/a n/a 
			 February 1999 1,730 520 82 
			 February 2000 1,689 486 69 
			 February 2001 1,518 410 68 
			 February 2002 1,450 354 64 
			 February 2003 1,494 322 61 
			 February 2004 1,444 321 67 
			 March 2005(25) 1,378 288 66 
		
	
	n/a = Data not available.
	(25)Annual Population Survey.
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey; Annual Population Survey.
	
		Table 4: Number of JSA claimants resident in theJarrow constituency
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(26) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 3,120 865 170 
			 1998 2,765 475 70 
			 1999 2,820 560 10 
			 2000 2,625 555 5 
			 2001 2,375 505 5 
			 2002 2,275 405 5 
			 2003 1,985 315 5 
			 2004 1,740 260 5 
		
	
	(26)Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.
	
		Table 5: Number of JSA claimants resident in South Tyneside
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(27) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 7,005 2,025 395 
			 1998 6,285 1,150 185 
			 1999 6,475 1,430 25 
			 2000 6,060 1,420 15 
			 2001 5,540 1,280 15 
			 2002 5,205 1,030 15 
			 2003 4,590 795 15 
			 2004 4,080 655 10 
		
	
	(27)Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.
	
		Table 6: Number of JSA claimants in the United Kingdom
		
			   Claiming over 12 months(28) 
			 Annual averages All All Youth (aged 18 to 24) 
		
		
			 1997 1,602,440 462,360 78,970 
			 1998 1,362,340 320,280 45,310 
			 1999 1,263,000 295,935 13,800 
			 2000 1,102,255 237,060 6,240 
			 2001 983,000 186,770 4,500 
			 2002 958,760 149,340 5,040 
			 2003 945,895 135,735 5,420 
			 2004 866,145 128,660 6,260 
		
	
	(28)Computerised claims only. Data rounded to nearest 5.
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus Administrative system.

Equitable Life

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with members of Equitable Life's Board of Directors regarding the failure of that company's recent legal action against its auditor, Ernst and Young.

Ivan Lewis: The Treasury has had no such discussions.

Equitable Life

Mark Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions (a) he and (b) his officials have had with the parliamentary Commissioner for administration concerning his ongoing inquiry into Equitable Life; and whether he has given him an indication of when the findings of the inquiry will be published.

Ivan Lewis: The Parliamentary Ombudsman's investigation into the prudential regulation of Equitable Life is, like all such investigations, being conducted in private. The Treasury is co-operating fully with the investigation.
	The timing of the Ombudsman's report is a matter for her, but her Office has stated publicly that she hopes to report in spring 2006.

Firearms Seizure

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if he will publish the HM Customs and Excise assessment of the percentage of firearms seized at ports of entry that are intended for criminal use;
	(2)  how many firearms were seized at ports of entry in each of the past five years for which figures are available; and how many of these were seized as a consequence of inaccurate licences or paperwork.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the number of firearms seized by HM Revenue and Customs in the last five years. It includes all firearms as defined in the Firearms Act 1968, but excludes self defence sprays, stun guns and parts of firearms.
	
		
			 Financial year Number of rifles and hand guns seized Number of shot guns seized 
		
		
			 19992000 512 129 
			 200001 211 44 
			 200102 415 219 
			 200203 228 36 
			 200304 285 8 
		
	
	Information on HMRC's detections of smuggled firearms is shared between HMRC's investigation staff, NCIS and police who assess the seriousness of the case and agree the arrangements for any follow up investigation. All cases other than those involving technical irregularities are considered for investigation either by police or HMRC.
	HMRC does not categorise seizures according to intended use as any attempt to smuggle a firearm is serious and seizures where there was no specific information can lead to the detection of further serious crime.
	Where a case has been referred to the police for investigation HMRC central records do not show whether or not criminal use was suspected at the time or subsequently established. A historic review to establish whether seizures were on the grounds of technical errors including inaccurate papers and licences or where there was smuggling for intended criminal use would only be available at disproportionate cost.
	HMRC's current assessment is that the incidence where firearms are smuggled with the intention of use in gun crime is low but that this remains a constant threat. They continue to work closely with NCIS and police forces to improve the intelligence available in this area.

HM Revenue and Customs

Peter Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people work for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland.

Dawn Primarolo: At 1 April 2005, HM Customs and Excise employed 712 full-time equivalent staff units in Northern Ireland.
	In April 2005 the functions of HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue were brought together to form HM Revenue and Customs.

HM Revenue and Customs

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many whole-time equivalent staff are employed in HM Revenue and Customs Large Business Service; and how many were employed in each of the predecessor sections of Revenue and Customs in April 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: At 1 October 2005 there were 1,875 FTE units employed in HMRC Large Business Services.
	At 1 April 2004 there were 998 FTE units in the Large Business Group of HMCE, and 802 FTE units within the Large Business Office of Inland Revenue.
	The small increase in staff over the period is due to internal reorganisation and new work for Spend to Save compliance activity.
	Efficiencies will be identified as HMRC develop and implement the LBS Business Design Model next year, which will lead to a reduction in staff numbers.

HM Revenue and Customs

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax offices were closed (a) in total and (b) in each (i) region and (ii) country in the UK in each of the last two years.

Dawn Primarolo: In 2004 the Inland Revenue closed four tax offices. Two of the offices were in London, one was in IR Central (Hertfordshire) and one in IR South (Dorset).
	Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue merged in April 2005 to form HM Revenue and Customs. HMRC has a policy of consolidating offices where possible, both to ensure they offer a joined-up service to customers and also to contribute to their efficiency targets. HMRC have sought to take advantage of opportunities such as the expiry of leases and relocation into existing Government estate and have consolidated ex-IR staff as detailed in the following table.
	In all but one of the closures we have maintained a presence in the town. In the one instance where this did not happen the move was involuntary (the landlord would not renew the lease).
	Inland Revenue Enquiry Centres (IRECs) were closed in four locations, with customers redirected to other IRECs within a maximum of two miles from the office being closed.
	The breakdown by year, region and county:
	
		
			  2004 2005 Total 
		
		
			 Region
			 East of England 1 1 2 
			 London 2 9 11 
			 Scotland 0 1 1 
			 North West 0 1 1 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 0 1 1 
			 West Midlands 0 1 1 
			 South East 0 1 1 
			 North East 0 2 2 
			 South West 1 2 3 
			 Total 4 19 23 
			 
			 County
			 Dorset 1 0 1 
			 Essex 0 1 1 
			 Gloucestershire 0 1 1 
			 Greater London 2 9 11 
			 Hertfordshire 1 0 1 
			 Lothian 0 1 1 
			 Merseyside 0 1 1 
			 North Yorkshire 0 1 1 
			 Shropshire 0 1 1 
			 Surrey 0 1 1 
			 Tyne and Wear 0 2 2 
			 Wiltshire 0 1 1 
			 Total 4 19 23

Income Tax

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be of reducing the higher rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to 35 per cent.

Dawn Primarolo: Reducing the higher rate of income tax from 40 per cent. to 35 per cent. on earnings and savings would reduce tax revenue by an estimated 5.6billion in 200506.
	This cost assumes changing the higher rate tax on earnings and savings only and does not include the effect on other linked taxes and reliefs such as capital gains tax.
	The income tax information is based upon the 200203 survey of personal incomes (SPI) projected forward to 200506 in line with Budget 2005 assumptions.
	The figures exclude any estimate of behavioural response to the tax changes, which could be significant given the scale of the changes.

Income Tax

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were subject to effective marginal tax rates of over 50 per cent. in (a) 199697, (b) 200001, (c) 200304 and (d) 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The highest marginal income tax rate was reduced to 40 per cent. from April 1988.
	The Treasury publishes ex-ante projections of marginal deduction rates: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4 April 2005, Official Report, column 1177W.
	We do not estimate other outturn figures.

Manufacturing Sectors (Work Force)

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the (a) UK and (b) London work force was accounted for by the manufacturing sector in each year since 1992.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell to Mr. Jon Cruddas, dated 20 October 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about manufacturing employment. (19156)
	The attached table shows the percentage of employee jobs in manufacturing, in London and United Kingdom, from 1992 to 2005; the latest period for which information is available. Workforce jobs data for the United Kingdom are also provided and include the self-employed, HM Forces and Government-supported trainees. The data are published on ONS' Nomis website at: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk
	
		Percentage of jobs in United Kingdom and London in the manufacturing sector; 1992 to 2005(29)
		
			  United Kingdom workforce jobs(30) United Kingdom employee jobs(31) Londonemployee jobs(31) 
		
		
			 1992 16.5 16.2 9.0 
			 1993 16.0 15.7 8.8 
			 1994 15.9 15.8 8.4 
			 1995 15.9 15.9 8.0 
			 1996 16.0 17.4 8.6 
			 1997 15.9 17.2 8.4 
			 1998 15.9 17.0 8.0 
			 1999 15.1 16.2 7.5 
			 2000 14.4 15.5 7.4 
			 2001 13.7 14.7 6.9 
			 2002 13.0 13.9 6.4 
			 2003 12.2 13.1 5.9 
			 2004 11.7 12.5 5.8 
			 2005 11.2 12.1 5.4 
		
	
	(29)Data are for June each year.
	(30)Workforce jobs, seasonally adjusted, includes the self-employed, HM Forces and Government-supported trainees.
	(31)Employee jobs, not seasonally adjusted, excludes the self-employed, HM Forces and Government-supported trainees.
	Source:
	Work force jobs and employee jobs.

Royal Family (Annual Accounts)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will invite (a) Her Majesty the Queen and (b) His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to submit their annual accounts for scrutiny to the National Audit Office.

Gordon Brown: There is no obligation for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to produce personal accounts.

Stamp Duty

Bob Laxton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax revenue his Department received from stamp duty on the sale of (a) residential and (b) commercial and business properties in each financial year from 200001.

Ivan Lewis: Estimates of Stamp Duty revenue from Land and Property (Stamp Duty Land Tax from December 2003) for the UK are available separately for residential and non residential properties for the years 200001 to 200304 at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/table 15_3_october04.pdf
	Estimates for 200405 are due to be published at the end of this month.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax claimants have been sent improved annual tax credit award notices which set out how their award has been calculated.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 13 October 2005
	I refer the right hon. Member to my answer of 4 July 2005, Official Report, column 97W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws).

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 12 September 2005, Official Report, columns 2386387W, on tax credits, if he will update the figures to take account of the latest estimate of total tax credit overpayments in 200304; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The answer to the question asked on 12 September 2005, Official Report, 2386387W, was based on a special extract of data taken specifically for the purpose of producing National Statistics. The information requested is not available because this would require a further special extract to be taken and some of the underlying data are not available in a form to allow such analysis, so could be provided only at disproportionate cost. National Statistics on awards for 200405 will be published in spring 2006.

Timber

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many prosecutions for the attempted importation of illegally logged timber into the UK have taken place in each of the last three years; and what penalties were imposed in each case in which all proceedings have been completed;
	(2)  how many incidents of the attempted importation of illegally felled timber into the UK there have been in each of the last three years; what types of timber were involved; how much timber was involved in each case; and what the countries of origin of the timber concerned was in each case.

Dawn Primarolo: There is no legislation in place to prohibit the importation of timber on the specific grounds that it was illegally logged. It is expected that a council regulation to establish the forest law enforcement governance and trade system will be adopted by the council in November 2005. This regulation will prohibit the importation of timber and certain semi-processed timber products into the EU without a valid licence issued by the relevant authorities of the exporting country.
	The importation of some species of wood is restricted under council Regulation 338/97 (on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein), which imposes import controls throughout the EU on all species (and their parts and derivatives) set out in the appendices to the convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES).
	HM Revenue and Customs made 30 seizures of ramin wood in the last three years for the absence of CITES import permits, export permits or both. In 2003 customs concluded an investigation into ramin imports from the previous year that breached the import restriction by compounding proceedings under section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. However, HMRC cannot say whether the ramin in any of these cases had been illegally felled.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Claims (Hornsey and Wood Green)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of people claiming (a) state pension, (b) jobseeker's allowance and (c) incapacity benefit in Hornsey and Wood Green constituency; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: In Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency, there were 12,400 people in receipt of state pension, as at September 2004; 2,956 people in receipt of jobseeker's allowance, as at September 2005; and 5,400 people in receipt of incapacity benefit or severe disability allowance, as at February 2005. In each case, these are the most recent available figures.

Disability Living Allowance

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been awarded disability living allowance on the basis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The requested information is not available. Figures are not kept separately for the numbers of disability living allowance awards made to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Such awards are included in a wider Behavioural disorderincluding enuresis and hyperactivity category. Information about the numbers of disability living allowance awards made to people whose main disabling condition falls into that category is in the table.
	
		Number of first awards of disability living allowance (DLA) in Great Britain made to people whose main disabling condition is recorded as behavioural disorder-including enuresis and hyperactivity
		
			 12 months ending 28 February Total number of first awards to DLA(32) 
		
		
			 2001 11,200 
			 2002 13,200 
			 2003 13,700 
			 2004 15,000 
			 2005 14.600 
		
	
	(32)To people whose main disabling condition is recorded as behavioural disorderincluding enuresis and hyperactivity.
	Notes:
	1.First awards are those made on initial claims, reviews or appeals to people not previously in receipt of the benefit. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2.In cases where more than one disability is present, only the main disabling condition is recorded.
	Source:
	DWP information directorate, 5 per cent. samples.

Housing Benefit

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of housing benefit recipients opted for their housing benefit to be paid directly to their landlord in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is in the table. Information is not available beyond May 2003.
	
		
			 As at May Paid direct to landlord (000) Percentage of rent allowance recipients 
		
		
			 1997 1,265 68.5 
			 1998 1,290 71.2 
			 1999 1,298 72.3 
			 2000 1,318 75.5 
			 2001 1,345 77.3 
			 2002 1,381 77.8 
			 2003 1,567 80.0 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	2.Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and percentages are given to 1 decimal place.
	3.The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	4.Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	5.Rent rebate figures are not included here. Rent rebate is credited automatically to a rent account and so different methods of payment are not applicable.
	Source:
	Housing benefit and council tax benefit management information system, annual 1 percent. sample, taken in May 1997 to May 2003.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) self-employed people, (b) people earning less than the lower earnings limit, (c) unemployed people and (d) other non-contributing people did not have second-tier pension arrangements in each year since 2002.

Stephen Timms: The table shows the estimated number of people in the UK who did not have private second-tier pension provision (i.e. those who are not contributing to an occupational, personal or stakeholder pension).
	
		Million
		
			 Employment status 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Self employed 1.7 1.8 
			 Employees earning less than the lower   earnings limit 1.3 1.4 
			 Unemployed 1.0 1.0 
			 Other 6.7 6.7 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). 200304 is the latest year for which data is available. The coverage of the survey is the UK.
	2.Second tier pension arrangements cover those contributing to occupational, personal or stakeholder pension schemes. Members who are contributing to a private pension scheme include those who are building up rights within a salary related scheme, those who are currently contributing to a scheme or whose employer makes a contribution on their behalf. Those who contribute to any form of second tier pension are excluded from the figures.
	3.The self employed and those earning less than the lower earnings limit covers those working both full time and part time. Other covers students, those who are retired, those who are looking after a family or home, those who are permanently sick or disabled, those who are temporarily sick or disabled and any other inactivity. Employment status is reported by the individual.
	4.Working age is ages 2059 for women and 2064 for men.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey.

Pensions

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to set the state pension above the official poverty level;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to link the state pension to average male earnings.

Stephen Timms: We will continue to administer the state pension in its present form. However, we will review the pensions system following the publication of the Pensions Commission's report and the National Pensions Debate which is currently taking place. We are building a broad consensus for any possible changes to our pensions system.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the additional cost to the Financial Assistance Scheme of extending support to individuals who were between three and 10 years from scheme pension age on 14 May 2004, assuming a 50-plus replacement rate; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: No such estimate has been made.

Pensions Ombudsman

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on developments in provision of office space and IT systems for the pensions ombudsman.

Stephen Timms: Work is under way to deliver refurbished accommodation and a replacement IT system for the pensions ombudsman by spring 2006.

Recycling

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures he has put in place to ensure that his Department meets the quick win targets set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that all copying paper brought by the Department is 100 per cent. recycled with a minimum of 75 per cent. post-consumer waste content.

James Plaskitt: The Department for Work and Pensions implemented a new contract for recycled paper containing 80 per cent. post-consumer waste in September 2005. This saw the removal of virgin paper from the bespoke Department for Work and Pensions catalogue.

Water Consumption

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what change there was in water consumption by his Department between 2002 and 31 March 2005; and what assessment he has made of which non-office sites offer opportunities for significant water savings.

James Plaskitt: The levels of water consumption for the Department for Work and Pensions are given in the table. The Department is working to deliver the specific water targets contained within the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. The figures in the table reflect how water consumption is reported against the specific water consumption target.
	
		
			  m(35) 
		
		
			 200203 9.14 
			 200304 11.2 
			 200405 9.3 
		
	
	As reported in the Sustainable Development in Government reports, the whole Department for Work and Pensions estate is designated as office based. There are, therefore, no non-office sites on the estate.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Asylum Seekers

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what numbers of case starts in asylum were allocated, and what numbers were used in (a) England and Wales and (b) Yorkshire and Humberside region in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Bridget Prentice: The information is as follows:
	(a) 73,360 new matter starts were allocated in April 2004 in England and Wales, of which 43,966 new matter starts were used by the end of March 2005 by legal aid solicitors. The Legal Services Commission (LSC) also awarded hours to voluntary sector suppliers, of which 13,830 hours were used by these suppliers by the end of March 2005.
	(b) 3,340 new matter starts were allocated in April 2004 in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, of which 1,836 new matter starts were used by the end of March 2005. The LSC also awarded hours to voluntary sector suppliers, of which 1,836 hours were used by these suppliers by the end of March 2005.

Child Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has to review and consult upon child protection and care proceedings; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: On 5 July my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor announced a Review of the Family Justice System in the area of Child Care proceedings, to be led jointly by my Department and the Department for Education and Skills. Its Terms of Reference are set out at Annex B of the Command Paper A Fairer Deal for Legal Aid, published on that day (Cm 6591), and it will report to Ministers by 31 January 2006. The work of the review is involving widespread discussion with those involved in the operation of the system, and implementation of any recommendations could involve further discussion and consultation.

Departmental Expenditure

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what the total spending by the Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in (i) Dundee East constituency, (ii) Tayside and (iii) the City of Dundee was for the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the total spending by the Department on (a) staff, (b) accommodation and (c) procurement in Perth and North Perthshire was for the most recent year for which figures are available.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 5 October 2005, Official Report, column 2786W, by my hon. Friend the Minister for Scotland Office to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson).

Senior Bar (Northern Ireland)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what is the perceived religious affiliation based on educational background of the panel selected to oversee appointments to the Senior Bar in Northern Ireland.

Bridget Prentice: The Queen's Counsel Selection Panel is responsible for recommendations for appointment to Queen's Counsel in Northern Ireland. The Bar Council and Law Society of Northern Ireland are responsible for the appointment of the panel members, which comprise a senior retired Northern Ireland judge, two lay people, two senior barristers and two senior solicitors. The panel were not required to make their community background known.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Embassies (Africa)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria would be used to determine the closure of a British embassy in Africa.

Jack Straw: We have no plans to close or open any further sovereign posts in Africa or elsewhere but, like any well run organisation, we will continue to move resources flexibly as priorities require in line with UK interests. We undertook a review of our network last year, the results of which I announced on 15 December 2004, Official Report, columns 13740WS. I announced some small changes to these plans on 11 October 2005, Official Report, columns 2223WS. Throughout, in looking at our diplomatic network, in Africa as elsewhere, our aim is to deliver on behalf of the British taxpayer the Government's international priorities in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

Correspondence

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the letters from the hon. Member for Banbury to the British ambassador in Tel Aviv of 31 May, to UKvisas of 15 July, and to Ministers of 19 September regarding Mrs. Liza David will be replied to.

Kim Howells: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) replied to the hon. Member on 18 October, on behalf of his office, UKvisas and Her Majesty's ambassador in Tel Aviv.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter to him dated 12 July 2005 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Owen Cooper.

Kim Howells: We have no record of having received this letter and have requested a copy from my right hon. Friend's office. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will reply as soon as possible after a copy of the letter is received.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, dated (a) 16 June, with regard to Mr. Abbas, (b) 12 July, with regard to Mr. Abdelrazik Salama, (c) 7 June, with regard to Mr. Tariq Iqbal and (d) 6 September, with regard to Mrs. A Ahmed.

Kim Howells: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) replied to my right hon. Friend's letters with regard to Mr. Abbas, Mr. Abdelrazik Salama and Mr. Tariq Iqbal on 18 October.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary replied to his letter with regard to Mrs A. Ahmed on 17 October.

Departmental Vehicles

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many vehicles for which the Department is responsible are fitted with retreaded tyres.

Jack Straw: Of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office services fleet of 38 vehicles, we only use retread tyres on our three trailers and on the back axle of our one rigid lorry. No retreads are used on the car or van fleets.
	We are also responsible for the procurement of new vehicles for overseas posts, the specification for these vehicles always calls for new tyres and no new purchase vehicles have retread tyres.
	Information on the tyre replacement policy of our operational fleet overseas is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

EU (Turkey's Accession)

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) surveys and (b) other measures of UK public opinion he has commissioned on Turkey's prospective accession to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not commissioned any surveys of UK public opinion on Turkey's prospective accession to the European Union. However, the Government closely follow the European Commission's Eurobarometer surveys and opinion polls conducted by various UK based newspapers and media groups.

European Constitution

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answers of 12 July 2005, Official Report, column 872W, on the EU constitution, if he will make a statement on the application of qualified majority under EU constitution article III-293 to the decision making process; which (a) themes and (b) regions have featured as areas of common foreign and security policy activity; who will arbitrate in areas of jurisdictional controversy between the EU Minister and a given member state; and what legal obligations follow a request by the EU Minister to be provided with a seat at international forums attended by the UK.

Douglas Alexander: The hon. Member will be aware that, following the June European Council, the future of the constitutional treaty is uncertain.
	Article III-293 of the EU constitutional treaty, which sets out the role of the European Council in defining the strategic interests and objectives of the Union in external policies, provides that the European Council shall act unanimously not by qualified majority. Only European decisions defining a specifically identified Union action or position on these unanimously agreed strategic interests and objectives can be adopted by qualified majority, under article III-300(2(a)).
	A wide range of themes and regions have already featured as areas of common foreign and security policy activity. However only three of theseRussia, Ukraine and Euromedhave had strategic interests and objectives identified for them in a manner similar to the provisions in article II-293.
	Under article I-28.2 of the constitutional treaty the European Union Foreign Minister (EUFM) would carry out his role in common foreign and security policy as mandated by the Councilie the member states acting unanimously. Questions of jurisdictional controversy between the EUFM and a member state would therefore be unlikely, and would undoubtedly be addressed and settled amicably in discussions in the Council.
	There is no provision in the European Union constitutional treaty which places an obligation on member states or other international organisations to provide the EU Minister with a seat at international forums attended by the UK. My right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. MacShane), set out in more detail the relationship proposed by the constitutional treaty between the EU Foreign Ministers and international organisations, in a letter to the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies). A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library of the House (House of Commons reference: DEP 07/0072).

Heads of State Meeting (Hampton Court)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the attendees expected at the Informal Meeting of Heads of State or Government at Hampton Court Palace on 27 October; and what the agenda for the meeting is.

Jack Straw: holding answer 17 October 2005
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will set out the scope of the discussion in the letter of invitation to the Informal Meeting of Heads of State or Government. The principal attendees are Heads of State or Government, the President of the EU Commission and the Secretary General of the Council. The list of other attendees has yet to be finalised.

Libya

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Libyan authorities regarding the possible transfer of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi from a Scottish jail; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There has been no discussion with the Libyan authorities about Mr. al-Megrahi's transfer from a Scottish jail. The Government's position remains that, in relation to the Lockerbie trial, those tried and found guilty under Scottish law would serve their prison sentence in Scotland.

UK Ambassadors (Commonwealth)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the UK ambassadors in each Commonwealth country; and on what date each was appointed to the position.

Jack Straw: The following table is of all current British High Commissioners to Commonwealth countries and shows the date they were appointed. Some Commonwealth members have Non-Resident High Commissioners (NR).
	
		
			 Country High Commissioner Date appointed 
		
		
			 Antigua and Barbuda (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 Australia Right hon. Helen Liddell July 2005 
			 The Bahamas (NR) Jeremy Cresswell (Resident Jamaica) July 2005 
			 Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury May 2004 
			 Barbados John White August 2001 
			 Belize Alan Jones November 2004 
			 Botswana Frank Martin October 2005 
			 Brunei John Saville May 2005 
			 Cameroon Richard Wildash July 2002 
			 Canada David Reddaway August 2003 
			 Cyprus Peter Millett June 2005 
			 Dominica (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 Fiji Charles Mochan December 2002 
			 The Gambia Eric Jenkinson December 2002 
			 Ghana Gordon Wetherell March 2004 
			 Grenada (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 Guyana Stephen Hiscock August 2002 
			 India Sir Michael Arthur October 2003 
			 Jamaica Jeremy Cresswell July 2005 
			 Kenya Adam Wood July 2005 
			 Kiribati (NR) Charles Mochan (Resident Fiji) December 2002 
			 Lesotho (NR) Right hon. Paul Boateng (Resident South Africa) August 2005 
			 Malawi David Pearey November 2004 
			 Malaysia Bruce Cleghorn November 2001 
			 Maldives (NR) Stephen Evans (Resident Sri Lanka) August 2002 
			 Malta Vincent Fean September 2002 
			 Mauritius Anthony Godson November 2004 
			 Mozambique Howard Parkinson December 2003 
			 Namibia Alasdair MacDermott April 2002 
			 Nauru (NR) Charles Mochan (Resident Fiji) December 2002 
			 New Zealand Richard Fell December 2001 
			 Nigeria Richard Gozney June 2004 
			 Pakistan Mark Lyall Grant May 2003 
			 Papua New Guinea David Gordon-Macleod November 2003 
			 Samoa (NR) Richard Fell (Resident Wellington) December 2001 
			 Seychelles Diana Skingle July 2004 
			 Sierra Leone John Mitchiner August 2003 
			 Singapore Alan Collins December 2002 
			 Solomon Islands Richard Lyne November 2004 
			 South Africa Right hon. Paul Boateng August 2005 
			 Sri Lanka Stephen Evans August 2002 
			 St. Kitts and Nevis (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 St. Lucia (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 St. Vincent and The Grenadines (NR) John White (Resident Barbados) August 2001 
			 Swaziland (NR) Right hon. Paul Boateng (Resident South Africa) August 2005 
			 Tanzania Dr. Andrew Pocock October 2003 
			 Tonga Paul Nessling January 2002 
			 Trinidad and Tobago Ron Nash January 2004 
			 Tuvalu (NR) Charles Mochan (Resident Fiji) December 2002 
			 Uganda (Jean) Francois Gordon July 2005 
			 Vanuatu Joel Watson (Acting High Commissioner) (High Commissioner departed August 2005. Post due to close February 2006) August 2005 
			 Zambia Alistair Harrison August 2002

Uzbekistan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Uzbekistan concerning human rights abuses, with particular regard to the arrest of Mutubar Tadzhibaeva; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: We remain deeply concerned by the reports of ongoing human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, including the mistreatment of human rights defenders and others, and take every opportunity to raise this issue with the Uzbek Government.
	We made our most recent representation on 14 October. In a diplomatic note, passed by our Embassy in Tashkent to the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we expressed our alarm at the reported treatment of three human rights defenders. One of these was the recently arrested Mukhtabar Tojibaeva; we have requested clarification of the charges brought against her. The Other two were Elena Urlaeva and Shavkat Madumarov. We have asked the Uzbek Government to confirm that all three are being treated in a manner compliant with international standards.
	We will continue, both bilaterally and through international institutions such as the EU and The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to encourage Uzbekistan to take greater steps towards full respect for human rights, and stand ready to provide any necessary assistance.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of stationing UK troops in Afghanistan in each year since the operation began.

Adam Ingram: The net additional costs of operations in Afghanistan are published each year in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts. Costs for financial year 200102 were 221 million, 200203 311 million and for 200304 46 million. The provisional figures for 200405 total 67 million. However, these are subject to scrutiny by the National Audit Office and final figures will be published in the MOD's Annual Report and Accounts in the autumn.

Airlift Capacity

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected cost is of new airlift capacity up to 2015.

Adam Ingram: The projected cost of the A400M programme which passed Main Gate in 2000 and is expected to enter service in 2011, is approximately 2billion up to 201415. Other programmes to increase our airlift capacity remain in their Assessment Phases, and it is too early to provide costs for them.

Apache Helicopters

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many AH-64 Apache helicopters are operational.

Adam Ingram: As at 12 October 2005, 37 Apache Mk 1 helicopters were being held by operational and training units. The departmental fleet comprises a total of 67 Apache. The remaining aircraft are currently being held by the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) for storage, or trials, or are scheduled for routine maintenance.

Armed Forces Deployment

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those Army units who have been deployed to Iraq on (a) one occasion, (b) two occasions, (c) three occasions and (d) four or more occasions respectively.

Adam Ingram: The information relating to those fully formed Army Units (i.e. Regiment/Battalion level and above) that have deployed to Iraq from February 2003 to date can be found in the following list:
	One occasion:
	Headquarters 1st(United Kingdom) Armoured Division and Signal Regiment
	Headquarters 3rd(United Kingdom) Division and Signal Regiment
	Headquarters 1stMechanical Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 12thMechanised Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 19thMechanised Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 20thArmoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 101 Logistic Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 102 Logistic Brigade and Signal Squadron
	The King's Royal Hussars
	The Royal Dragoon Guards
	The Queen's Royal Lancers
	2ndRoyal Tank Regiment
	1stRegiment Royal Horse Artillery
	4thRegiment Royal Artillery
	12thRegiment Royal Artillery
	19thRegiment Royal Artillery
	40thRegiment Royal Artillery
	21 Engineer Regiment
	22 Engineer Regiment
	26 Engineer Regiment
	33 Engineer Regiment
	35 Engineer Regiment
	38 Engineer Regiment
	39 Engineer Regiment
	64 Works Group Royal Engineers
	2 Signal Regiment
	7 Signal Regiment
	16 Signal Regiment
	1stBattalion Coldstream Guards
	1stBattalion Scots Guards
	1stBattalion Irish Guards
	1stBattalion Welsh Guards
	1stBattalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)
	1stBattalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers
	1stBattalion The Highlanders
	1stBattalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
	2ndBattalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
	1stBattalion The Royal Anglian Regiment
	1stBattalion The King's Own Royal Border Regiment
	1stBattalion The King's Regiment
	1stBattalion The Cheshire Regiment
	1stBattalion The Staffordshire Regiment
	1stBattalion The Royal Welsh Fusiliers
	1stBattalion The Light Infantry
	2ndBattalion The Light Infantry
	1stBattalion The Royal Green Jackets
	4thRegiment Army Air Corps
	4 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
	6 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	9 Supply Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	10 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	24 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	27 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	4 General Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	16 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	22 Field Hospital
	33 Field Hospital
	34 Field Hospital
	1stBattalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	5thBattalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	6thBattalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
	4thRegiment Royal Military Police
	Two Occasions:
	Headquarters 4thArmoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	Headquarters 7thArmoured Brigade and Signal Squadron
	The Household Cavalry Regiment
	1stThe Queen's Dragoon Guards
	The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)
	The Light Dragoons
	9th/12thRoyal Lancers (Prince of Wales's)
	3rdRegiment Royal Horse Artillery
	26thRegiment Royal Artillery
	28 Engineer Regiment
	32 Engineer Regiment
	62 Works Group Royal Engineers
	63 Works Group Royal Engineers
	1stBattalion The Black Watch
	1stBattalion The Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders
	1stBattalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
	1stBattalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment
	1stBattalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)
	1stBattalion The Royal Regiment of Wales
	1stBattalion The Royal Irish Regiment
	2ndBattalion The Parachute Regiment
	3rdBattalion The Parachute Regiment
	2 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	3 Logistic Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	7 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	8 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistic Corps
	1 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	3 Close Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	5 General Support Medical Regiment Royal Army Medical Corps
	1stRegiment Royal Military Police
	3rdRegiment Royal Military Police
	Three occasions:
	Nil
	Four occasions:
	17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistics Corps

British Troop Deployment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troops are in (a) Afghanistan, (b) Iraq, (c) Kosovo, (d) Bosnia and (e) Germany.

Adam Ingram: The approximate number of British service personnel in the locations specified are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Afghanistan 900 
			 Iraq 7,800 
			 Kosovo 170 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina 740 
			 Germany 21,800 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures rounded.
	The figures do not include personnel serving in loan/diplomatic posts, or training detachments.

Defence Procurement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is in respect of integrated project team leaders visiting bidders and potential suppliers outside the UK; and what records are kept of such visits.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has no specific policy in relation to visits by integrated project team leaders (IPTLs) to bidders or potential suppliers, regardless of their location. Visits to non-UK suppliers would be consistent with the principles of EC Public Procurement and MOD's Defence Industrial Policy, as outlined in MOD Policy Paper No. 5Defence Industrial Policy, which encourages MOD to engage with suppliers from all sectors and nations with the aim of being more transparent and inclusive from the early stages of a procurement project thus enabling potential bidders to frame bids accordingly at the outset. Importantly, IPTLs need to acquire and maintain a global understanding and expertise in the market of their particular business area to maximise opportunities and technological benefits to create a healthy and competitive environment aimed at securing the best solutions and value for money for our acquisition requirements. Decisions to visit bidders and potential suppliers, or to undertake any other visits, are based on business requirements and are in accordance with the normal departmental travel and subsistence rules. Travel and subsistence costs must be authorised and records maintained as appropriate for audit purposes.

Defence Procurement

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are taken to minimise the (a) time taken and (b) costs incurred by bidders on defence procurement contracts; and under what circumstances (i) all and (ii) part of the bid costs would be met by his Department.

Adam Ingram: The MOD's policy is not to pay bid costs. However, it is in the interests of MOD and industry to minimise the time and costs of tendering. MOD makes every effort to do this through a well established selective tendering process aimed at choosing the tender offering the most effective solution and best value for money. The general policy includes normally inviting a maximum of six bidders, specifying tender assessment criteria designed to facilitate early decision-making and a structured selection procedure to preferred bidder. The process was recently reviewed and continues to be monitored for effectiveness. The newly formed more effective contracting initiative applies a phased approach to contractual commitment and provides for the option of early down-selection during the assessment phase.

Defence Weaponry (Space)

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on weapons in space;
	(2)  what plans the Government have (a) to support and (b) to promote the establishment of a new comprehensive space treaty which would include matters relating to weapons in space;
	(3)  whether the Government (a) own and (b) contract defence weaponry in space.

Adam Ingram: The focus of the UK Government's space policy is on civil and scientific uses. However, we also derive important security benefits from its military use. Like many countries, the UK uses satellites for a wide range of military functions such as secure communications, meteorological predictions, and effective monitoring of various arms control treaties.
	Although the military use of space is integral to our security responsibilities, the UK Government have no plans to deploy weapons in space. As one of the depository states (along with the US and Russia), the UK Government continue to fully support the 1967 Outer Space treaty, which places important constraints on the use of space, including prohibiting the development of weapons of mass destruction in space and military activity on the moon and other celestial bodies.
	The main forum for discussing the military use of space is the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. We have taken part in informal discussions on the possibility of a further treaty banning weapons in space, although there has been no international consensus on the need for such a treaty. We continue to support the annual resolution on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) at the UN.

Defence Weaponry (Space)

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom operates a defence mechanism for the protection of UK satellites in space.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not operate any defence mechanisms to protect UK satellites in space.

Departmental Purchasing

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies from which his Department has purchased goods and services of a total value above 1 million in each of the last three years; and how much was spent in respect of each company.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has extracted spend information from the Defence Bills Agency database covering companies from which the Department has purchased goods and services totalling more than 1 million in each of the last three financial years.
	A copy of this information will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Rebranding

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on rebranding in his Department and related agencies in each of the last five years.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has not undergone a corporate level rebranding exercise in the past five years. While parts of the Department have engaged in work to ensure that their brand identities are current and relevant to their business needs, detailed information on this could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Estate Disposals

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's targets for disposals of (a) land and (b) buildings in Hampshire are in the 200506 financial year; and if he will list the assets to be disposed of.

Don Touhig: We currently expect receipts in excess of 16.5 million from the disposal of both land and buildings in Hampshire during financial year 200506. We do not release details of individual site valuations for commercial reasons, as this might influence the market.
	Current lists of sites for release in Hampshire are as follows:
	Former HMS Daedalus
	Fleet Photographic Unit Tipner
	House adj Clayhall Cemetery, Gosport
	OFD Gosportsmall sale, regularisation of boundaries
	Rowner Footbridge, Gosport
	RMA Eastneysale of small area of land
	Land at Calshot
	Pumphouse Site, Church Crookham
	Five garages in Lancaster Way, Hawley, Farnborough.
	Former DMC Armament Depot Dean Hill
	Land at Union building, Hospital Hill Aldershot
	English Churhces Housing Group Hostal Site Aldershot
	Release of restricted covenants on various properties in Military Road, Gosport

Export Support Team

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of the export support team was last year; and what the forecast cost is for each of the next two years.

Adam Ingram: Net operating costs of the export support teams last year were approximately 2 million. Provision of 1.75 million has been made for manpower costs for the current year. Provision for next year has not yet been finalised, but is currently projected to be approximately 0.3 million lower than in 200506. These figures reflect a reduced manpower requirement, following a decision last year to merge a number of teams into one.

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 27 June 2005, Official Report, columns 120405W, on Iraq, whether the British deputy senior judge advocate in Iraq told his British superiors about the Red Cross report he summarised.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 4 July 2005
	A copy of the November ICRC report, together with a summary were sent by the British officer to a number of senior staff within CJTF-7, including to the office of the senior British military representativeIraq (SBMR(I), who was located in a different HQ from the British deputy SJA. We have not been able to ascertain whether that report ever arrived, and the then SBMR(I) did not read the report or the summary.
	However, SBMR-I was briefed on the ICRC report, together with Lt Gen Sanchez, by US personnel. That briefing did not raise major concerns about abuse at Abu Ghraib. Issues of mishandling were raised, but it was made clear that direction had already been given that such practices should stop. Further concerns were raised about record keeping and procedures for informing the relatives of internees of their whereabouts. SBMR-I directed that these procedures should be reviewed, and improvements made.
	SBMR-I was not aware of the detail of the November ICRC report, and was not aware of specific allegations of abuse at Abu Ghraib.

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the activities of British armed forces in Basra on 20 September.

John Reid: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House on 10 October 2005, Official Report, columns 2427.

Merlin Helicopters

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Merlin helicopters are in operation with the Royal Navy, broken down by (a) condition and (b) age.

Adam Ingram: The Royal Navy has 23 Merlin helicopters in operation. This is in line with the current operational plan. The status of these helicopters as at 12 October 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			 Aircraft Status Age(33) 
		
		
			 RN18 ZH838 Undergoing maintenance post engine change 28 October 1999 
			 RN22 ZH842 Serviceable 1 March 2000 
			 RN16 ZH836 Undergoing maintenance 19 August 1999 
			 RN35 ZH855 Undergoing routine maintenance 28 June 2001 
			 RN40 ZH860 Undergoing routine maintenance 26 March 2002 
			 RN43 ZH863 Serviceable 9 August 2002 
			 RN08 ZH828 Serviceable 28 August 1998 
			 RN21 ZH841 Under technical investigation 29 January 2000 
			 RN23 ZH843 Undergoing routine maintenance 13 April 2000 
			 RN42 ZH862 Serviceable 26 June 2002 
			 RN44 ZH864 Serviceable 4 October 2002 
			 RN11 ZH831 Undergoing routine maintenance 29 January 1999 
			 RN15 ZH835 Undergoing routine maintenance 9 August 1999 
			 RN19 ZH839 Undergoing maintenance 24 November 1999 
			 RN26 ZH846 Serviceable 16 August 2000 
			 RN29 ZH849 Serviceable 15 December 2000 
			 RN41 ZH861 Undergoing routine maintenance 14 May 2002 
			 RN17 ZH837 Undergoing maintenance post storage 24 September 1999 
			 RN28 ZH848 Serviceable 8 November 2000 
			 RN30 ZH850 Serviceable 21 December 2000 
			 RN31 ZH851 Serviceable 2 March 2001 
			 RN32 ZH852 Serviceable 29 March 2001 
			 RN37 ZH857 Serviceable 5 October 2001 
		
	
	(33)This relates to the first time an aircraft's rotors are engaged.
	Of the 11 aircraft out of service on 12 October all but four were expected to re-enter service within one to three days.

Military Personnel

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) trained strength and (b) trained requirement is of the UK (i) regular armed forces, (ii) reserve forces and (iii) Territorial Army.

Adam Ingram: The most recent available trained strength and requirement figures for UK regular and reserve forces are given in the following table:
	
		Trained strengths and requirements at 1 September 2005
		
			  Naval service Army RAF 
			  Requirement Strength Requirement Strength Requirement(34) Strength 
		
		
			 UK Regulars 37,450 35,030 98,710 97,980 48,400 48,420 
			 FTRStotal(35)  800  440 350 340 
			 FTRS (FC)(35)  340  110  70 
			 FTRS (LC)(35)  240  70 220 180 
			 FTRS (HC)(35)  220  260 130 90 
			 Regular Reserve3, 4, 5  9,930  31,660  7,960 
			 Volunteer Reserve (part-time)(38) 2,120 1,380 
			 Volunteer Reserve (full-time)5, 6 3,890 2,980 41,610 36,630 90 100 
		
	
	(34)Figures for RAF Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) and Volunteer Reserves are establishment not requirement.
	(35)FTRS strength figures include Full Commitment (FC), Home Commitment (HC) and Limited Commitment (LC) individuals. For the Army, FC and LC individuals serve against the requirement while HC individuals fill posts specifically for FTRS personnel. For the RAF, FC individuals serve against the regular requirement while HC and LC individuals fill posts specifically for FTRS personnel.
	(36)There is no requirement for Regular Reserves.
	(37)The Army Regular Reserve exclude RARO V.
	(38)The Regular Reserve include 120 mobilised Army personnel and 10 mobilised RAF personnel. The Volunteer Reserve include 30 mobilised Naval Service personnel, 1,120 mobilised Army personnel and 40 mobilised RAF personnel.
	(39)The RAF Volunteer Reserve (Full Time) have a strength of 100 against a requirement of 90, but are already included in RAF FTRS figures.

Nimrod

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on plans for the replacement or upgrade of the Nimrod.

Adam Ingram: There are two types of the Nimrod aircraft currently in service. The Nimrod MR2 is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and is planned to be replaced by the Nimrod MRA4. Flight trials of the MRA4 are progressing. A production proposal was submitted by BAE Systems earlier this month, and is being considered by the Ministry of Defence. A production contract will depend on an assessment that the design is mature enough to enter production and on agreement of an affordable price.
	The Nimrod R1 is an electronic reconnaissance aircraft that examines radio and radar emissions. We are assessing cost effective solutions to our requirement to maintain this capability, including whether to upgrade or replace the aircraft.

Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the unit production cost, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit, (b) direct resource departmental expenditure limit and (c) capital departmental expenditure limit, is for the Panther command and liaison vehicle;
	(2)  what the cost, broken down by (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit, (b) direct resource departmental expenditure limit and (c) capital departmental expenditure limit is for the Panther command and liaison vehicle contract.

Adam Ingram: The current Unit Production Cost for the two variants of the Panther command and liaison vehicle is 320,000 and 240,000 (excluding VAT). These figures are capital departmental expenditure limit (CDEL) only. Development costs are excluded from the figures as are indirect resource expenditure limit (RDEL Indirect) costs, comprising a notional cost of capital charge, which for each variant is currently assessed at 15,000 and 12,000 per vehicle respectively.
	The current cost to bring the Panther command and liaison vehicle into service is as follows: (a) indirect resource departmental expenditure limit of some 6 million, (b) direct resource departmental expenditure limit of some 2.5 million, and (c) capital departmental expenditure limit of 166 million, with further contracts envisaged to a total value reaching 193 million.

Public Service Agreement Target

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what metrics have been established for measuring the Department's success in achieving public service agreement objective II; and what weighting has been assigned to training projects (AVTS, DTR, RSME) in terms of contributing to the achievement of this objective.

Adam Ingram: The way in which public service agreement targets are measured is set out in the technical notes that support the agreement. The technical notes for the MOD'S public service agreements for 200304 to 200506 and for 200506 to 200607 are published on the MOD and Treasury websites.

QinetiQ

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guaranteed funding QinetiQ is due to receive from his Department's science and technology budget over the next five years.

Adam Ingram: With the progressive introduction of competition to the majority of the Ministry of Defence's science and technology budget since 2001, the proportion of single tender work awarded to QinetiQ has diminished and will continue to do so. The NAO report The Management of Defence Research and Technology published on 10 March 2004 shows how competition will affect QinetiQ's share of the elements of the research programme that equated to applied and corporate research. QinetiQ's assured share of these elements of the research programme will decline over time, dropping to less than 10 percent. by financial year 200809. We currently have about 80 million pounds work on contract with QinetiQ through single tender action for the Department's science and technology budget over the period of financial years 200607 to 200809. This figure is of course subject to change as new contracts are placed.

RAF

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last discussed the state of the RAF with the Chief of Air Staff.

Adam Ingram: As the Secretary of State's principal adviser on Royal Air Force issues the Chief of the Air Staff has direct access to Defence Ministers whenever he requires and Defence Ministers regularly meet him in a variety of forums.

Royal Navy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the reasons for designating each of the Royal Navy ships referred to in his written answer of 13 July 2005, Official Report, column 1080W, for reduced support status, with special reference to HMS Albion and HMS St. Albans, (b) the age of each of these vessels and (c) the time it would take to bring each of them to a state of readiness to serve with the fleet if required.

Adam Ingram: Ships are selected for reduced support status according to their future tasking within the operational programme, taking into account its position within the upkeep cycle. This was the case for HMS Albion and HMS St. Albans. No ships have ceased to be operational as a result of reduced support status. The age of the ships listed in the following table has been calculated from their original acceptance in rounded years.
	
		
			  Years 
		
		
			 HMS Invincible 25 
			 HMS Ark Royal 20 
			 HMS Albion 2 
			 HMS Cardiff 26 
			 HMS Exeter 25 
			 HMS Liverpool 23 
			 HMS Cumberland 16 
			 HMS Grafton 9 
			 HMS Marlborough 14 
			 HMS Monmouth 12 
			 HMS Richmond 11 
			 HMS St. Albans 4 
			 HMS Sutherland 8 
			 HMS Atherstone 19 
			 HMS Brecon 25 
			 HMS Cottesmore 22 
			 HMS Dulverton 22 
			 HMS Middleton 21 
			 HMS Pembroke 7 
			 HMS Penzance 7 
			 HMS Ramsey 5 
			 HMS Shoreham 4 
			 HMS Walney 13 
			 HMS Leeds Castle 24

Submarine IT Systems

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on the potential for Alfred McAlpine Business Systems to become a supplier of strategically important components to the Government.

Adam Ingram: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (DTI) on a wide range of procurement and industry issues including most recently matters such as the Defence Industrial Strategy. No discussions have taken place about the potential for Alfred McAlpine Business Services to become a supplier of strategically important components to the Government.

Trident

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ongoing contractual obligations the United States has to service (a) Trident submarines and (b) their nuclear payloads; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: The United States has no contractual obligations for servicing UK Trident submarines and their nuclear payloads, as these are the responsibility of the UK Government.

Trident

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the options for the replacement of the Trident fleet together with projected costs in each case.

John Reid: Decisions on any replacement for Trident have not yet been taken. Such decisions are likely to be necessary in the current Parliament, although they are still some way off. Initial preparatory work is being undertaken by officials on possible options for the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent. However, Ministers have not yet begun to consider the position on this issue in any detail. It is therefore premature to speculate on the range of options that might be available and their potential costs.

UK Troops (Belize)

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK troops will be stationed in Belize in December.

John Reid: We anticipate that there will be some 80 armed forces personnel stationed in Belize in December 2005.

Ulster Defence Regiment/Royal Irish Regiment

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are known to have served in (a) the Ulster Defence Regiment and (b) the Royal Irish Regiment home service battalions in the last 30 years in a (i) part-time and (ii) full-time capacity.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to Table 7.4 of United Kingdom Defence Statistics 2005, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

Welfare

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the welfare provided by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

Don Touhig: holding answer 18 October 2005
	Since its inception in 1921, the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAFFI) have provided armed forces personnel worldwide with retail and leisure facilities (shops and junior ranks' clubs). Support to operations is provided by the Expeditionary Force Institutes (EFI) arm of NAFFI, and support to HM ships is provided by the Naval Canteen Service (NCS).
	NAFFI profits are held in trust for the armed forces and are returned to welfare funds by way of dividend payments. The dividend payments in respect of 200304 profits totalled 3.75 million. For 200405, an interim dividend payment of 0.5 million has already been made; agreement of the final dividend for 200405 is imminent.

Withdrawn Military Equipment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tanks are expected to be withdrawn from service in 200506.

Adam Ingram: Under the Future Army Structures (FAS) there will be a shift from the current mix of light and heavy forces to a more balanced structure of light, medium and heavy forces. As part of the implementation of FAS we are reducing the number of Challenger 2 (CR2) armoured squadrons from 25 to 18. The reduction in the number of squadrons has reduced the total requirement for tanks and 20 CR2 have so far been withdrawn from service. We have no plans at present to reduce the number further during 200506.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will clarify and consolidate statute relating to abortion in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Abortion Law in Northern Ireland is contained in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945, and case law, particularly the Bourne judgement (1938). There are no plans for any changes in the legislate position at present.

Anaesthetists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to ensure that trained assistance is provided for anaesthetists.

Shaun Woodward: The Department is committed to ensuring that staff providing assistance to anaesthetists are fully trained and are competent to practice. The Department currently commissions post-registration programmes at different levels to complement the in-house training provided by the trusts. In addition, the Department is carrying out a peri-operative review of work force needs in Northern Ireland, which will examine the need for Operating Department Practitioners and other theatre roles within the theatre and anaesthetics service.

Breast Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of patients referred by their general practitioner with suspected breast cancer was assessed by a specialist within two weeks at each trust within the Province in the last period for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not currently available. I refer the hon. Lady to an audit of Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland produced by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, which is found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr/pdf/publications/audit_breast.pdf
	The audit reported that for patients diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2001, the majority (69 per cent.) of patients were seen within two weeks of being referred by their GP.

Breast Cancer

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of patients in each health trust was treated for breast cancer within six weeks in the last 12 months for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the treatment of breast cancer is not collected centrally. I refer the hon. Member to an audit of Breast Cancer Services in Northern Ireland produced by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry which is found at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nicr/pdf/publications/audit_breast.pdf
	A table containing a summary of waiting times experienced by breast cancer patients can be found on page 22.

CCTV

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been arrested or questioned regarding a crime which was caught on CCTV cameras in each of the four Belfast Westminster constituencies in each of the last five years.

Peter Hain: The Chief Constable has advised me that the Police Service of Northern Ireland does not record statistics by parliamentary constituency. The available information for the four Belfast District Command Units (DCUs) is as follows:
	Belfast, WestThe DCU does not have a police monitored CCTV system;
	Belfast, EastThe DCU have recorded 93 arrests for various offences that can be attributed to the presence of CCTV which was installed in 2003;
	Belfast, NorthThe DCU only collate statistics in respect of CCTV associated arrests related to public order incidents. Since installation in 2002, 230 arrests have been linked to CCTV monitoring. Of those, 200 have resulted in convictions and the remaining 30 are pending interview or charge;
	Belfast, SouthThe DCU have a long established CCTV system which is designed for wider usage than in Belfast, North. Between October 2000 and September 2005, 2,451 arrests have been made in Belfast, South that are attributable to the presence of CCTV.

Community Paediatric Clinics

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many community paediatric clinics employ staff qualified in child and adolescent mental health in (a) North Belfast and (b) West Belfast.

Shaun Woodward: The North and West Belfast HSS Trust has one paediatric clinic, which provides a trust wide service across North and West Belfast.

Cystic Fibrosis

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on services for cystic fibrosis sufferers in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis may access services in both primary care and hospital settings. Specialised regional services for children with cystic fibrosis are provided at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, while specialised regional services for adults are provided at the Belfast City Hospital.
	Northern Ireland has one of the best survival rates among cystic fibrosis sufferers in the United Kingdom, and outcomes are comparable to the best cystic fibrosis centres in the world. This may be attributed to early diagnosis, with neonatal screening in place in Northern Ireland for over 20 years, and to the expert care provided by clinical staff, particularly in the specialist centres.
	The management of patients with cystic fibrosis requires a multidisciplinary team approach. A major objective of treatment is to promote enhanced self-management and to enable people to maximise their health and well being in the community. This is supported by general and specialised services as required, and tailored to the individual patient's needs.

Cytology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the (a) accuracy and (b) effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows.
	(a) Within the cervical screening programme there are internal and external quality assurance systems which measure the performance of the programme against agreed national standards. The data for 200203 (the most recent year available) show that the Northern Ireland programme is meeting the national standards, in all board areas.
	(b) The number of cervical cancers diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland and the number of deaths attributed to this form of cancer are relatively smallabout 80 new cases and 30 deaths. With such small numbers it is difficult to prove effectiveness but over the last few years there has been a small but gradual decline in the number of deaths here. However figures for England, Scotland and Wales show a sizeable reduction in death numbers, a situation which contrasts with the Republic of Ireland which does not have a comprehensive population-based screening programme. In addition it is noteworthy that there has been an improvement in the five year survival rate which is now 72 per cent. compared to 61 per cent. 10 years ago.

Cytology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to introduce human papilloma virus testing in the Province for screening against cervical cancer.

Shaun Woodward: The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing in screening for cervical cancer is still under consideration by the National Screening Committee, which advises Health Ministers and the UK Health Departments on screening policy.

Cytology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what advice he has received from the Department's regional sub-group regarding introducing liquid-based cytology screening in the Province for cervical cancer.

Shaun Woodward: The Regional Advisory Group on Cervical Screening has recommended to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety that the cervical screening programme here should adopt the new technology known as liquid-based cytology (LBC). This is already being rolled out in other parts of the UK. The Department is currently seeking to identify funding to make the new technology available in each Board area here, as soon as possible.

Cytology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where in the Province pilot schemes have been operating of liquid-based cytology screening.

Shaun Woodward: There have been no pilot schemes set up in Northern Ireland. It is the Department's intention to introduce liquid based cytology into the cervical screening programme as soon as the necessary funding can be identified.

Cytology

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which boards have commenced pilot schemes of liquid-based cytology screening.

Shaun Woodward: Health and Social Services Boards have not introduced any pilot schemes using liquid-based cytology to the cervical screening programme.

Dementia

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many residential care places are available in the Province for individuals with early onset dementia.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not available centrally.

Disabled Drivers

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have official disability vehicle stickers.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Peter Robinson, dated 20 October 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many people in Northern Ireland have official disability vehicle stickers. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	I can advise you that there are currently 79,885 Blue Badges issued to individuals. A further 218 Badges have been issued to organisations who care for people with a disability.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Eastern Health and Social Services Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the Eastern Health and Social Services Board has sought a business case for implementing new IT systems.

Shaun Woodward: I refer the hon. Lady to my answer of 14 June 2005, Official Report, column 321W.

Faith-based Projects (Funding)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding was provided to faith-based (a) groups and (b) projects in Northern Ireland over the last five years, broken down by (i)Westminster parliamentary constituency and (ii)district council area.

David Hanson: Government in Northern Ireland recognise the valuable contribution that faith based organisations have made to community life, local regeneration and the provision of a wide range of social activities.
	The nature of the information sought is not available as prior to April 2004 Departments did not specifically categorise support to church or faith based groups they were recorded as voluntary community groups. From April 2004 with the establishment of the Northern Ireland Government funding database Departments are now recording the nature of organisations, their activity focus and geographical area of operation. The following table lists funding since 2004 to those organisations which have identified themselves as faith based groups and which council area they operate in. This does not include organisations that may have designated themselves as charitable, voluntary or community groups which however are led by faith based organisations.
	The database is still being populated by Departments. It will be possible in future years to provide more comprehensive information.
	
		
			  Organisation name  Council  Grant title Financial year Award amount () 
		
		
			 Religion 
			 Harmony Community Trust Strangford Down Good Relations 200405 62,642.00 
			200506 68,438.00 
			200607 70,370.00 
			  
			 Religious activities
			 Board of Social Witness Belfast Core Funding 200405 to 200607 200405 43,324.00 
			200506 44,624.00 
			200607 0.00 
			  
			 Church of Ireland Board for Social Belfast DHSSPS Core Grant Church of Ireland 2003 to 2006 200506 67,826.00 
			 Responsibility   200304 64,244.00 
			200405 65,850.00 
			  
			 Churches Community Work Alliance Belfast Revenue Core Funding 200304 47,420.00 
			200405 46,036.00 
			200506 46,378.00 
			  
			 Citywide Enterprise Ltd. (Twin Spires) Lisburn Cemetery Regeneration Project 200203 24,359.03 
			200304 20,962.49 
			  
			 Greenhill YMCA Down Greenhill YMCA 200304 100,000.00 
			200405 60,000.00 
			  
			 Mothers Hope Crisis Centre Belfast Salaries, Running Cost, Refurbishment IW/P/35/03 200405 81,658.15 
			200506 0.00 
			200607 0.00 
			  
			 Willowfield Parish Community Association Belfast Provision of community facility NR2/SE/P/54/04 200506 0.00 
			200607 0.00 
			  
			 St. Columba's Project  Developing Community Capacity 200405 11,704.00 
			 Total925,835.67

Fire Service

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firefighters were operating in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, broken down by sex.

Shaun Woodward: The numbers of male and female firefighters in the Service over the past five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Male Female 
		
		
			 Whole-time personnel 
			 2001 885 2 
			 2002 878 5 
			 2003 884 10 
			 2004 869 11 
			 2005 889 12 
			
			 Retained personnel   
			 2001 893 3 
			 2002 928 3 
			 2003 871 2 
			 2004 950 4 
			 2005 939 4

Fire Service

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fire fighters have been injured in the line of duty in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The number of firefighters injured while on duty over the past five years is as follows:
	
		
			 April to March Number of firefighters injured 
		
		
			 200001 427 
			 200102 402 
			 200203 354 
			 200304 291 
			 200405 240

Fire Service

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many operational fire stations there were in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: In each of the past five years there were 67 operational fire stations in Northern Ireland.

Health Boards

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many procedures each health board in the Province has bought from (a) within and (b) outside the Province in each of the last five years; what the resultant costs were; and which trusts benefited from these resources.

Shaun Woodward: The following tables set out how many procedures each health board has purchased from within and outside the province in each of the last five years and the resultant costs.
	
		200001
		
			  Procedures purchased 
			 Board in NI outside NI Cost () 
		
		
			 EHSSB  54 410,000 
			 NHSSB (40)n/a (40)n/a n/a 
			 SHSSB 204 128 398,648 
			 WHSSB 1,103 32 780,000 
			 Total 1,307 214 1,588648 
		
	
	(40)Figures for Northern Board are not available for 200001
	
		200102
		
			  Procedures purchased 
			 Board in NI outside NI Cost () 
		
		
			 EHSSB 72 1,048 1,344,000 
			 NHSSB 344 54 751,765 
			 SHSSB 39 48 429,000 
			 WHSSB 1,225 (41)317 1,513,000 
			 Total 1,680 1,467 4,037,765 
		
	
	(41)Figure includes MRI scans.
	
		200203
		
			  Procedures purchased 
			 Board in NI outside NI Cost () 
		
		
			 EHSSB 461 183 2,056,000 
			 NHSSB 767 119 1,541,423 
			 SHSSB 128 96 891,784 
			 WHSSB 2,808 59 2,106,000 
			 Total 4,164 457 6,595,207 
		
	
	
		200304
		
			  Procedures purchased 
			 Board in NI outside NI Cost () 
		
		
			 EHSSB 98 81 1,428,000 
			 NHSSB 1,488 133 3,102,800 
			 SHSSB 637 73 1,779,502 
			 WHSSB 3,830 91 4,324,000 
			 Total 6,053 378 10,634,302 
		
	
	
		200405
		
			  Procedures purchased 
			 Board in NI outside NI Cost () 
		
		
			 EHSSB 805 100 1,790,000 
			 NHSSB 1,223 122 2,529,301 
			 SHSSB 274 66 917,906 
			 WHSSB 4,193 97 3,807,000 
			 Total 6,495 385 9,044,207 
		
	
	The information provided above relates to transfers to and from a number of different hospitals over the five years.

Health Boards

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints were made against each health board in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  EHSSB NHSSB SHSSB WHSSB 
		
		
			 200405 66 5 33 2 
			 200304 31 4 29 2 
			 200203 55 4 54 1

Health Finance

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which health trusts in the Province have commenced their own internal bank staff system; and what costs each has incurred (a) setting up, (b) staffing and (c) operating these systems in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: Bank staffing arrangements are in place across a number of services and professions across health trusts. Bank nursing systems are the most significant and widespread of these, and are in place at all trusts providing acute services. For most trusts the operation and management of bank staff systems is not readily divisible from their normal workforce management functions. Further information concerning costs of either the bank staff themselves or running such systems could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Hip Replacements

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are awaiting hip replacement surgery in each of the health boards in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of patients awaiting hip replacement surgery is not collected centrally, however figures in the table show the number of people awaiting either hip or knee replacement surgery in each Health Board in Northern Ireland at 31 August 2005.
	
		Number awaiting hip or knee replacement surgery by Health Board of Residence at 31 August 2005
		
			 Health Board of Residence Number waiting 
		
		
			 Eastern 892 
			 Northern 569 
			 Southern 416 
			 Western 380 
			 Northern Ireland 2,257 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Information Branch

Hospital Beds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hospital beds there are within each health trust in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: Provisional figures for the average number of available hospital beds for each health trust in 200405 are given in the following table. Average available beds are defined as the average number of beds available during the quarter in wards that are open overnight, measured at midnight. Hospitals may also have a number of beds in wards, which are only open during the day. Beds reserved for day case admission or regular day admission are not included.
	
		Average available beds by health trust 200405(42)
		
			 Trust Number 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 524.2 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 359.7 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 774.8 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 315.7 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital HSS Trust 632.2 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 80.0 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 498.1 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 282.0 
			 Greenpark Healthcare HSS Trust 331.3 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 252.8 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 288.5 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 262.3 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 318.0 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 1,022.4 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 325.5 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 507.0 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 666.9 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 881.3 
			 Northern Ireland 8,322.8 
		
	
	(42)Provisional

Hospital Beds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage bed occupancy was in each hospital in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: Figures for percentage bed occupancy are collected on a quarterly basis and provisional figures for 200405 are given in the following table. Note that day cases are excluded from the calculation for bed occupancy.
	
		Percentage bed occupancy by quarter and hospital 200405(43)
		
			 Hospital April to June 2004 July to September 2004 October to December 2004 January to March 2005 200405 total 
		
		
			 Belfast City 84.6 86.0 86.9 89.1 86.6 
			 Belvoir Park NICCO 88.8 85.8 85.3 86.3 86.5 
			 Windsor House 98.9 99.7 99.4 98.9 99.5 
			 Forest Lodge 71.0 80.0 72.2 70.0 73.7 
			 Forster Green 62.9 65.3 64.3 60.1 63.2 
			 Musgrave Park 75.4 70.4 78.0 80.6 76.0 
			 Knockbracken Health Care Park 85.0 87.5 87.4 87.2 86.8 
			 Shaftesbury Square 20.7 5.8 5.8 8.4 10.0 
			 Young Peoples Centre 100.0 94.4 44.4 42.2 75.5 
			 Ards 96.1 90.3 92.3 94.0 93.3 
			 Bangor 92.0 85.0 85.6 90.2 88.3 
			 Ulster 89.7 88.6 88.8 88.9 89.0 
			 RBHSC 66.3 64.4 65.5 75.6 67.9 
			 Royal Maternity 72.6 70.0 71.2 69.8 70.9 
			 Royal Victoria 89.4 88.0 87.9 88.8 88.6 
			 Mater Infirmorum 89.3 90.0 92.3 89.0 90.2 
			 Muckamore Abbey 96.9 95.6 93.0 93.0 94.6 
			 Downe 93.0 84.3 85.7 87.8 87.8 
			 Downshire 100.0 80.6 100.0 100.0 97.0 
			 Lagan Valley 83.2 81.6 80.3 82.7 81.9 
			 Lagan Valley P.N.U 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 
			 Thompson House 96.9 97.8 93.1 92.2 95.0 
			 Causeway 81.0 77.2 77.3 82.1 79.4 
			 Dalriada 82.8 84.1 72.2 72.2 77.8 
			 Robinson Memorial 83.6 78.8 82.0 74.0 79.6 
			 Holywell 96.3 93.4 90.8 95.1 93.9 
			 Whiteabbey P.N.U 94.7 98.4 77.4 98.9 92.6 
			 Antrim 75.7 74.5 76.7 78.7 76.4 
			 Braid Valley 91.1 94.8 92.6 96.6 93.8 
			 Mid Ulster 76.4 72.0 73.4 76.6 74.5 
			 Moyle 94.2 94.4 91.7 93.1 93.5 
			 Whiteabbey 94.4 92.0 94.2 97.2 94.4 
			 Longstone 93.0 93.4 86.2 85.2 89.4 
			 Mullinure 92.8 90.3 81.1 81.1 86.4 
			 Oaklands 65.0 61.4 59.6 62.3 63.2 
			 St. Lukes 79.0 78.1 75.2 77.4 77.4 
			 Banbridge(44) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Craigavon Area 78.5 79.8 79.1 82.1 79.9 
			 Lurgan 87.9 91.2 86.9 90.4 89.1 
			 South Tyrone 94.1 87.8 97.6 89.0 92.2 
			 Daisyhill 76.1 73.0 73.9 77.1 75.0 
			 Craigavon P.N.U 97.5 95.9 92.3 90.9 94.1 
			 Altnagelvin Area 81.3 78.7 79.6 83.6 80.8 
			 Waterside 77.8 74.4 78.3 75.6 76.7 
			 Gransha 92.4 90.8 87.9 90.4 90.4 
			 Roe Valley 90.0 88.0 88.0 90.0 89.3 
			 Stradeagh 93.5 94.1 96.3 89.6 93.4 
			 Waterside-Foyle 85.8 84.4 88.3 90.9 87.4 
			 Erne 66.4 61.9 68.5 69.4 66.5 
			 Tyrone and Fermanagh 83.3 82.1 81.8 85.9 83.2 
			 Tyrone County 79.7 80.3 78.7 83.3 80.5 
			 Northern Ireland 84.7 83.0 83.6 85.3 84.2 
		
	
	(43)Provisional
	2Banbridge hospital only has day cases which are excluded from the calculation for bed occupancy.

Hospital Staff (Assaults)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many assaults there were on hospital staff on hospital premises in each health board in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: There have been a total of 5,444 assaults, 3,065 Eastern Board, 650 Southern Board, 894 Northern Board and 835 Western Board, recorded against all HPSS staff during the period 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005. This is the earliest date for which these figures are held. Detailed information on the location where the incident took place is not recorded centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Hospital Telephone Calls

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many whole-time equivalent receptionists are employed at the main switchboard of each of the hospitals in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: Information requested is provided in the table as follows.
	
		Number of whole-time equivalent receptionists employed at the main switchboard of each hospital in Northern Ireland as at1 July 2005
		
			 Hospital Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin area Hospital (44) 9.85 
			 Antrim area Hospital(45) 5.51 
			 Belfast City Hospital 8.08 
			 Causeway Hospital 5.60 
			 Craigavon area Hospital 8.20 
			 Daisy Hill Hospital 7.09 
			 Downpatrick Hospital 6.53 
			 Erne hospital 3.01 
			 Forster Green Hospital 4.50 
			 Holywell Hospital 3.81 
			 Knockbracken Hospital 5.28 
			 Lagan Valley Hospital 5.28 
			 Mater Hospital 6.37 
			 Mid-Ulster Hospital(46) 3.66 
			 Muckamore Hospital 5.00 
			 Musgrave Park Hospital 6.00 
			 Royal Hospital 10.00 
			 South Tyrone(47) 3.53 
			 St. Lukes(48) 5.47 
			 Tyrone County Hospital 6.11 
			 Ulster Hospital (49) 12.66 
			 Whiteabbey Hospital(46) 5.01 
			 Total 136.55 
		
	
	(44)Altnagelvin Area Hospital switchboard operators also deal with calls for Gransha Hospital, Stradreagh Hospital and Waterside Hospital.
	(45)Antrim Area Hospital switchboard operators also deal with calls for Braid Valley Hospital and Moyle Hospital.
	(46)Telephonist staff in Mid-Ulster Hospital and Whiteabbey Hospital also provide reception service.
	(47)South Tyrone Hospital switchboard operators also deal with calls for Willowbank Voluntary Organisation and Thomas Street Clinic.
	(48)St. Luke's Hospital switchboard operators also deal with calls for Armagh and Dungannon Health and Social Services Trust Headquarters and Southern Health and Social Services Board Headquarters.
	(49)Ulster Hospital switchboard operators also deal with calls for Ards Hospital. Bangor Hospital is serviced from Ulster Community and Hospitals Group Trust headquarters.

Hospital Telephone Calls

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many telephone lines there are for the main switchboard at the Royal Victoria hospital.

Shaun Woodward: There are 70 telephone lines for the main switchboard at the Royal Victoria hospital. The switchboard is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Hospital Telephone Calls

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many receptionists there are on the main switchboard at the Royal Victoria hospital (a) on weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm, (b) on weekdays outside these hours, (c) between 9 am and 5 pm at weekends and (d) outside these hours at weekends.

Shaun Woodward: Information requested is provided in the table as follows.
	
		Number of receptionists employed at the main switchboard of the Royal Victoria hospital for specified hours as at 1 July 2005 -- Headcount
		
			 Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday /Sunday 
		
		
			 (a) Weekdays between 9am and 5pm 
			 9 am-1 pm 5 6 4 6 6  
			 1 pm-2 pm 3 4 3 5 6  
			 2 pm-5 pm 5 6 5 7 7.5  
			 (b) Weekdays outside 9am and 5pm 
			 5 pm-9 pm 2 2 2 2 1.5  
			 9 pm-9 am 2 2 2 2 2  
			  
			 (c) Weekends between 
			 9 am and 5 pm  2 
			  
			 (d) Weekends between 
			 5 pm and 9 pm  2

Influenza Vaccines

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes are planned to the (a) provision and (b) distribution of influenza vaccines in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, social services and public safety has placed orders for influenza vaccine directly with three manufacturers for the 200506 immunisation programme through a process of central procurement. This differs from previous years where the responsibility for securing vaccine for Northern Ireland rested with independent GP and pharmacy contractors.
	The arrangements for the distribution of the flu vaccine for the 200506 programme will involve direct supply of vaccine to GP surgeries from an appointed wholesaler. In previous years community pharmacists were involved in the distribution of vaccine from wholesaler premises to GP surgeries.

Influenza Vaccines

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what extra facilities will be provided to assist general practitioner surgeries in the Province with the storage of increased numbers of influenza vaccines.

Shaun Woodward: There are no plans to provide extra storage facilities in GP practices for influenza vaccines. In view of the arrangements being made this year for the ordering and delivery of vaccine to GPs, the Department of Health, social services and public safety does not anticipate a need for any additional refrigerated capacity in surgeries.

Knife Attacks

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many violent attacks involving knives were recorded in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and what steps he is taking to reduce such incidents.

David Hanson: The number of recorded offences involving knives in Northern Ireland from 200203 to 200405 is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200203 986 
			 200304 985 
			 200405 1,000 
		
	
	The Government have tabled an amendment to the Violent Crime Reduction Bill currently before Parliament to extend to Northern Ireland the proposal to further restrict the sale of knives to those aged 18 or over.

Marfan Syndrome

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been made to the Department from (a) medical staff and (b) others regarding provision for sufferers of Marfan syndrome in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: From 1 January 2003 to 7 July 2005 the Department has received correspondence about Marfan service provision from one clinician, together with six inquiries from elected representatives and one enquiry from a carer of a patient with Marfan syndrome.
	Currently, patients suffering from this rare syndrome are treated by consultants working in the Regional Genetics Centre at Belfast City Hospital and other appropriate specialists, particularly those within the cardiology unit at the Royal Group of Hospitals.

Mental Health

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultants specialising in mental health are employed by the (a) Royal Group, (b) Mater hospital and (c) United Hospitals Trust at Whiteabbey and Antrim.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the table.
	
		Number of consultants specialising in mental health in each of the given health and social services trusts
		
			  Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Royal Group of Hospitals 0 0 
			 Mater Infirmorum 9 7.88 
			 United (Whiteabbey hospital) 0 0 
			 United (Antrim hospital) 0 0 
		
	
	Source:
	NI HSS Trusts.
	United Hospitals Group HSS Trust does not directly employ any consultant psychiatrists. However, mental health services are provided at Whiteabbey hospital and are staffed by one consultant psychiatrist employed by Homefirst HSS Trust.

Mental Health

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultants specialising in child and adolescent mental health are employed by the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust.

Shaun Woodward: The number of consultants specialising in child and adolescent mental health employed by the North Belfast and West Belfast HSS Trust is 1 (0.3 WTE). This consultant provides a trust wide service across North and West Belfast and is a consultant psychologist in the trust's paediatric clinic.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to improve the safety of patients and staff on mental health wards in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: In response to concerns about the number of violent attacks on patients and staff, the Department issued guidance to health and personal social services employers. This guidance urged employers to regularly review the assessment of risk associated with different facilities/locations, to introduce a standard method of recording all incidents of verbal and physical abuse and to regularly train staff and ensure that the training is appropriately tailored for the different staff disciplines. Employers were also encouraged to press charges in situations where staff have been the subject of violent or abusive behaviour and to provide lone peripatetic workers with a mobile telephone and develop protocols to monitor the safety of the worker. The guidance also advised that the number of entrances to A and E departments should be restricted, particularly late at night and that limits should be placed on the number of persons, not themselves requiring treatment, given entry to an A and E department.
	In implementing the guidance, some trusts have installed emergency panic buttons and CCTV in A and E units, and toughened transparent screens at interview hatches.
	The Department has launched a publicity campaign, designed to emphasise the message that violent attacks on staff are a crime and that the perpetrators could face a prison sentence. The Department and PSNI have also developed joint protocols for reporting incidents of verbal and physical abuse.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) members of staff, (b) patients and (c) visitors have suffered (i) verbal and (ii) physical assaults at each mental health trust in the Province in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Missed Appointments

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many missed hospital out-patient appointments there were in each health trust in the Province in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The total number of missed hospital out-patient appointments in each financial year 200203 to 200405 is provided in the following table. Please note that figures for 200405 are provisional. These figures represent the number of out-patient appointments where a patient did not attend and failed to give advance warning to the hospital.
	
		Total number of missed hospital out-patient appointments
		
			 Trust 200203 200304 200405(50) 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 15,397 16,233 16,788 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 2,674 2,597 2,519 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 23,223 23,461 22,283 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 5,831 6,045 5,080 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 1,940 1,794 2,010 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 15,103 14,623 13,416 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 7,440 7,136 6,558 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 1,311 1,986 1,884 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 7,377 8,159 8,169 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 3,701 3,893 4,251 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 11,694 12,023 12,302 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 9,349 9,798 8,934 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 293 523 419 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 53,707 53,602 51,100 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 3,816 3,609 2,890 
			 Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust 6,884 6,335 6,043 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust 20,743 20,253 19,951 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 13,487 12,739 13,141 
			 Northern Ireland total 203,970 204,809 197,738 
		
	
	(50)Provisional

NHS (Overseas Workers)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the training costs that are saved as the result of having staff from overseas working within the NHS.

Shaun Woodward: Trained staff employed from overseas does not have the effect of creating savings in training costs. Ethical recruitment of overseas staff has been carried out in recent years to partly address serious work force shortages when the level of departmental funding for training would not have supplied sufficient numbers of trained staff for the health service. Departmental spending on training has since increased considerably with the annual intake of student nurses being increased from 480 in 1999 to the current level of 750; an additional 63 medical students will enter Queen's University in September 2005, bringing the annual intake to 250.

NHS (Overseas Workers)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many nurses from abroad are employed at (a) the Mater hospital and (b) the Royal Group of hospitals.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of nurses from abroad employed by Mater Infirmorum hospital HSS Trust and Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trustas at 1 July 2005
		
			 Trust Headcount 
		
		
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 52 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 216 
		
	
	Source:
	Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust and Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust

Physiotherapists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vacancies for physiotherapists there are at each health trust in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: Information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		Number of Vacancies for Physiotherapists at each health trustas at 31 March 2005
		
			 Trust Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 4 4.00 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 1 0.50 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 5 5.00 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 9 8.50 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 4 3.58 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 2 1.50 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 3 2.58 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 8 7.50 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 2 2.00 
			 Total 42 39.16

Physiotherapists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many physiotherapists are employed by each health trust in the Province; and how many were employed five years ago.

Shaun Woodward: Information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		Number of Physiotherapists employed by each health trust asat 31 March 2005
		
			 Trust Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 38 35.85 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 35 28.95 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 57 49.76 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 42 33.83 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 74 61.92 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 72 61.63 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 3 2.92 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 72 61.84 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 21 19.17 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 40 32.01 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 41 27.89 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 78 69.24 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 42 31.77 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 35 30.02 
			 Ulster Community  Hospitals Group HSS Trust 86 68.94 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 98 81.53 
			 Total 834 697.27 
		
	
	
		Number of Physiotherapists employed by each health trust asat 31 March 2000
		
			 Trust Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 35 31.14 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 28 24.69 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 46 40.68 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 29 21.90 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 51 41.27 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 49 40.30 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 1 1.00 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 60 52.83 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 0 0.00 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 16 14.58 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 23 19.44 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 31 18.01 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 73 62.76 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 36 24.78 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 22 19.05 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 73 54.07 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 71 60.99 
			 Total 644 527.49

Racially Motivated Crime

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) maximum and (b) minimum sentence is which has been handed down to a person charged with racially motivated crime in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: Statistics relating to sentencing of racially motivated crime are presently not available. I anticipate, however, that this information will become available towards the end of next year with the further development of the new Causeway information system.

Rail Workers (Injuries)

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rail workers have been injured while working on the rail lines in Northern Ireland in each year since 1998.

Shaun Woodward: Translink have advised that the total number of rail workers injured while working on the rail lines in Northern Ireland in each year since 1998 is 29, broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Minor Major Total 
		
		
			 1998 0 1 1 
			 1999 1 0 1 
			 2000 4 3 7 
			 2001 2 1 3 
			 2002 9 0 9 
			 2003 4 0 4 
			 2004 1 2 3 
			 2005 0 1 1 
			 Total   29 
		
	
	Of these figures, 21 workers sustained minor injuriesdefined as requiring first aid treatment, resulting in less than three days lost. Eight workers sustained major injuriesdefined as resulting in three days or more lost time. In addition, there were two fatalities, one resulting in death within 12 months of an accident in 1998 and the other being a contractor's employee who died as a result of an accident in 2002.

Roads (West Belfast)

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when work in respect of the road layout at the Mackey site in West Belfast began; and when it is planned to be completed.

Angela Smith: The contractor was appointed on 30 March 2004 and work on the road layout began shortly thereafter and was largely completed by June 2005. The completion of the overall road layout will be dependent on sales of individual units and sites within the business park and at this stage, it is not possible to provide a definite timetable.

Sex Offenders Register

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are on the Sex Offenders Register in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: On 30 September 2005 there were 580 persons in Northern Ireland subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Sickness Absence

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the costs resulting from sickness absence among health service employees in the Province in 200405.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not held centrally.

Velcade

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the availability of Velcade in Northern Ireland; and what plans there are to increase access for patients to Velcade.

Shaun Woodward: Velcade was licensed for use in all areas in the UK in April 2004. Clinicians are in a position to prescribe Velcade within its licensed indications and in the context of local prescribing budgets.
	Additional funding of 5 million has been allocated in 200506 for specialist hospital drugs. It is for the health and social services boards, as commissioners of services, to prioritise how funding is used, taking into account the competing demands and pressures in their areas and the strategic objectives and priorities of the Department.
	The Department will continue to seek to improve access to specialist medicines that offer the potential for significant improvement in patient care.

Violent Offenders

William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timetable is for legislation to require the assessment and risk management of violent offenders in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The first thematic inspection by the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland recommended that the current non statutory multi agency sex offender risk assessment and management (MASRAM) arrangements should be placed on a statutory footing and that other dangerous violent but non sexual offenders should be included in those arrangements. My officials are currently engaged in detailed consultation with colleagues who operate the offender management procedures, both here and in England and Wales, about the implications of such a change, and I anticipate publishing draft legislative proposals by March 2006.

Violent Offenders

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to bring forward legislation on the assessment and risk management of violent offenders in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The first thematic inspection by the Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland recommended that the current non statutory multi agency sex offender risk assessment and management (MASRAM) arrangements should be placed on a statutory footing and that other dangerous violent but non sexual offenders should be included in those arrangements. My officials are currently engaged in detailed consultation with colleagues who operate the offender management procedures, both here and in England and Wales, about the implications of such a change, and I anticipate publishing draft legislative proposals by March 2006.

Waiting Lists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the longest time is that anyone in the Province has waited for radiotherapy in the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: Information on waiting times for radiotherapy treatment is not collected centrally.

Waiting Lists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average and (b) longest current waiting time is for an IVU investigation within each trust in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: This information is not collect centrally, and is not readily available from Health and Social Services Trusts.